Korea bets on open-air markets to draw tourists beyond Seoul

“The scent of sizzling pancakes and the boisterous calls of vendors in crowded alleyways are being reframed as strategic assets in Korea’s latest tourism push. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Tourism Organization, designated 11 traditional markets on Thursday as part of the second phase of its “K-Tourism Market” project, an initiative designed to transform aging local hubs into polished international destinations. The project targets a diverse geographical spread, including Mangwon Market and Gyeongdong Market in Seoul, Haeundae Market in Busan, Seomun Market in Daegu, Jeonju Nambu Market and Jeju Island’s Dongmun Traditional Market. While these sites have long been the lifeblood of local neighborhoods, the government now aims to elevate them into major cultural attractions while simultaneously overhauling the long-criticized customer service practices that have occasionally alienated visitors. At a launch ceremony held Thursday at Mangwon Market in western Seoul, merchant associations from the selected sites signed a joint declaration pledging fu

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