Fastest among Seoul's districts to align with the ninth popularly elected government's campaign pledge and the Seoul Metropolitan Government's night economy expansion policy

Three sites near Sindang Station begin operating Sept. 18, with Namdaemun, Chungmuro, Yaksu and Jangchung Namsoyeong-gil to follow

Sinjungang Market
Sinjungang Market

Jung-gu in Seoul is opening its first "Jung-gu-style win-win night markets" in the area around Sindang Station.

Starting Sept. 18, three locations -- Sinjungang Market, Baekhak Market and the Sindang Ogil alley shopping district -- will kick things off. Namdaemun Market, the Chungmuro alley shopping district, Yaksu Market and the Jangchung Namsoyeong-gil alley shopping district will follow once preparations are complete.

Under the "win-win night market" model, merchants set up and run the night markets themselves, tailoring each to the character of its market. Merchant associations handle safety, hygiene and cleanliness on their own to minimize disruption to residents. Part of the revenue from the night markets goes into a "win-win fund" used to improve market environments, expand convenience and safety facilities, and support resident welfare. The district backs the merchants' independent operations with comprehensive institutional support, administrative coordination and guidelines.

The push to energize night markets has moved quickly as a campaign pledge of the ninth popularly elected local government. Merchants had long called for night markets that would let visitors enjoy the markets' distinctive atmosphere and food after dark. In June, Jung-gu made "night market expansion" a key task at a campaign pledge review meeting, immediately moving to work out an implementation plan.

The district quickly assessed conditions at each market and gathered merchants' opinions. Relevant departments worked together to set standards on issues tied to running the night markets, including traffic, safety and hygiene. On Wednesday, the district signed a "Jung-gu-style win-win night market operation agreement" with merchant associations from seven markets and shopping districts that wanted to take part, completing preparations to launch.

The win-win night markets are debuting in the area around Sindang Station. The area is frequented not only by residents but also by workers from the Dongdaemun fashion district and nearby wholesale markets. The area's mix of old-school eateries and distinctive spaces -- dubbed "Hipdang-dong" -- has also drawn a growing stream of younger visitors and tourists.

The largest of the three, Sinjungang Market, will run its night market every night. 34 stores will take part, setting up outdoor tables in the market's alleys and serving a variety of food from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The idea is to draw the energy of the neighboring Hipdang-dong Ssajeon-gil street into the market itself.

Two more markets join in on Friday nights. Baekhak Market, across from Sinjungang Market, will host "Moonlight Baekhak Night Market," with 10 stores participating from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to capture the mood of a food alley. Behind Exit 3 of Sindang Station, the Sindang Ogil alley shopping district will hold "Ogil on Friday Nights," with seven stores open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event turns the retro alley into an after-work night market.

Jung-gu's win-win night markets also dovetail with the Seoul Metropolitan Government's night economy expansion policy. Having prepared ahead of time, the district is moving fastest among Seoul's autonomous districts to fall in step with the city's policy.

Namdaemun Market, the Chungmuro alley shopping district, Yaksu Market and the Jangchung Namsoyeong-gil alley shopping district are each preparing night markets suited to their own conditions and character. Starting with the three sites near Sindang Station, Jung-gu plans to expand the win-win night markets in stages. The district aims to build them into a signature nighttime offering that brings vitality to traditional markets and alley commercial districts.

"The Jung-gu-style win-win night market is about merchants, who know their markets best, running them responsibly in a way that reflects each market's character and sharing the benefits with the community," Jung-gu District Mayor Kim Gil-seong said. "We will firmly support the night markets so they can become a new source of competitiveness for traditional markets and alley commercial districts."


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