Yukgeori Market

Last updated

Yukgeori Market is the representative traditional market of Cheongju, Chungbuk, South Korea. It is a combination of 12 markets with 1200 stores, 3300 employees in total and covers an area of 99,000 square metres. Approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people visit it daily and the annual sales are said to exceed 300 billion won. [1] [2]

Contents

History and etymology

The market was named Yukgeori because it was a naturally occurring market originally formed at a yukgeori(meaning six-way intersection). [3] There was a cattle market along the Musimcheon Stream, a market for agricultural products and firewood, a soup restaurant and a blacksmith. This was the beginning of the market, formerly known as the Cheongju Market, during the Joseon Dynasty. Since 1973 the market has been called Yukgeori Market. [2]

Namseokyo Bridge, built around the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, a stone bridge about 80 meters long, was buried in the market floor in 1936. [4] It is said that damage occurred whenever the Musimcheon Stream near the market flooded. During the period when Korea was under the Japanese colonial occupation, the surrounding area was reclaimed and Namseokgyo Bridge was gradually buried. Every year 'Namseokgyo Dakgyo Nori' festival is held at the market on the occasion of Daeboreum. 'Namseokgyo Bridge' is the symbol of the Yukgeori Market. The stone bridge is divided into six colours, symbolising the type of goods available with red representing meat, yellow representing processed foods, orange representing fruits and vegetables, green representing agricultural products, purple representing industrial products, and blue representing marine products. [2]

Markets and products

Yukgeori Market follows the unique tradition of Korean markets. lt operates as a street market with a 5-day and dawn market, held 5 days every month (2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd and 27th of each month). Not only is it located at the centre of the intersection of six roads, but is also the place where 12 markets merge. The 12 markets are Agricultural Equipment Street, Agricultural Products Street, Wild Vegetable Street, Mill Street, Pharmaceutical Street, Dakjeon Street, Honsu Street, Hanmaeum Fashion Street, Eat Street, Flower Bridge and Goblin Market. [5] The market has numerous food stalls and alleys selling traditional Korean cuisine, among which the popular ones are Sundae(blood sausage), pajeon (savory pancake), tteok(rice cake), pig's trotters and grilled pork belly. [3]

Goblin Market, which is now called the dawn market, in the old days the market stood for a while and disappeared like a goblin fire. [2] It is often considered the highlight of the Cheongju Yukgeori Market and takes place in the early mornings from 5 am to 8 am. The dawn market is called dokkaebi sijang(Korean 도깨비 시장). It is open from 5–8 AM, at a roadway in front of a flower bridge (Korean 꽃다리) . Here you can buy numerous agricultural products. Farmers in Cheongju sell crops they cultivated and harvested in person. Thus one can get fresh crops at a reasonable price without any distributors.

Revitalization of the market

Yukgeori Market is an excellent example of a traditional market which has evolved in a comparatively non-metropolitan area as compared to other metropolitan areas of South Korea. It has survived in a time when traditional markets are losing their vitality and are losing their commercial spaces to large markets, while simultaneously preserving the intrinsic value of traditional markets. Studies have shown that its spatial configurational features create a network that causes interactions between the market and the surrounding suburban components, which in turn affects the flow, transport and potential movement of pedestrians. This helps Yukgeori market maintain and promote social and commercial activities, thereby supporting its revitalization. [6] Yukgeori Market is constantly trying to change itself to attract more visitors. It is the first traditional Market, which consists of about 1,200 stores, to launch market gift certificates in 2003, and the use of Onnuri gift certificates is active, which has resulted in the increase in visitors. [7] Various festivals like the Spring festival: (전통시장 봄내음 축제;jeontongsijang bomnaeeum chukje) [8] and 2021 Event Wishing Covid Pandemic Be Over, [9] are also held at the market which draws attention and participation from visitors and merchants to the market.

Awards and recognition

From 2007 to 2009, the market received two Presidential Awards and two Ministerial Awards. It received the title of "excellent market" for three consecutive years from 2009 to 2011 at the South Korean Leading Market Expo hosted by the Small and Medium Business Administration (now known as the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startup). In 2015, it was selected as the target site for the Project of Promoting Global Premium Markets by the Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA) and the Korea Tourism Organization(KTO). [10] [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pohang</span> Specific city in Yeongnam, South Korea

Pohang is the largest city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, with a population of 499,363 as of 2022, bordering the East Sea to the east, Yeongcheon to the west, Gyeongju to the south, and Cheongsong and Yeongdeok to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheongju</span> Specific city in North Chungcheong, South Korea

Cheongju is the capital and largest city of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gochang County</span> County in Honam, South Korea

Gochang County (Gochang-gun) is a county in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is a rural area, and is home to only one institution of higher education: Gochang Polytechnic College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheonan</span> Specific city in Hoseo, South Korea

Cheonan is the largest and most densely populated city of Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, and the third largest city in the Hoseo region after Daejeon and Cheongju. Cheonan borders Gyeonggi-do in the north, Chungcheongbuk-do to the east and southeast, Sejong City to the south and Asan-si and Gongju-si to the west and southwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makgeolli</span> Korean raw rice wine

Makgeolli, sometimes anglicized to makkoli, is a Korean alcoholic beverage. The milky, off-white, and lightly sparkling rice wine has a slight viscosity that tastes slightly sweet, tangy, bitter, and astringent. Chalky sediment gives it a cloudy appearance. As a low proof drink of six to nine percent alcohol by volume, it is often considered a "communal beverage" rather than hard liquor. In Korea, makgeolli is often unpasteurized, and the wine continues to mature in the bottle. Because of the short shelf life of unpasteurized "draft" makgeolli, many exported makgeolli undergo pasteurization, which deprives the beverage of complex enzymes and flavor compounds. Recently, various fruits such as strawberries and bananas are added to makgeolli to drink in new forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daeboreum</span> Traditional Korean holiday

Daeboreum is a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the lunar Korean calendar which is mostly based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar. The festival is Korean version of the First Full Moon Festival. This holiday is accompanied by many traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in South Korea</span> Tourist industry in the Republic of Korea

Tourism in South Korea refers to the tourist industry in the Republic of Korea. In 2012, 11.1 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 20th most visited country in the world, and the 5th most visited in Asia. Most non-Korean tourists come from other parts of East Asia such as Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The recent popularity of Korean popular culture, often known as the "Korean Wave", in these countries has increased tourist arrivals. Seoul is the principal tourist destination for visitors; popular tourist destinations outside of Seoul include the major coastal city of Busan, the Seorak-san national park, the historic city of Gyeongju and subtropical Jeju Island. Traveling to North Korea is not normally possible without a special permission.

<i>Cheongju</i> (beverage) Korean refined rice wine

Cheongju, sometimes romanized as Chungju, is a clear, refined rice wine of Korean origin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jokbal</span>

Jokbal(족발) is a Korean dish consisting of pig's trotters cooked with soy sauce and spices. It is usually braised in a combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and rice wine. Additional ingredients used can include onion, leeks, garlic, cinnamon, and black pepper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seongdong Market</span> Market in Gyeongju, South Korea

Seongdong market is the largest traditional market in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. Located on the opposite side of Gyeongju station with an entrance on Wonhwa-ro (street), it provides crops, vegetables, fruits, and seafood produced in Gyeongju and nearby areas. There are also vendors that sell street food such as kimbap, sundae, and tteokbokki. An indoor area composed of ten or so restaurants offer fresh banchan as a buffet-style meal or à la carte. Seongdong Market was established in 1971. The market opens in the early morning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ansan Street Arts Festival</span> Street festival in Ansan, South Korea

The Ansan Street Arts Festival is an annual street festival held every May in the city of Ansan, South Korea.

Sinjeong Market is a traditional street market in Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea. Established in 1970, today the market has more than 700 shops that sell fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, breads, clothing, and Korean traditional medicinal items. The market is also home to many small restaurants and street food stalls.

Itaewon Global Village Festival is an annual cultural festival held in Itaewon, South Korea, since 2002. It is hosted by the Itaewon Tourism Zone Association and takes place in the fall, typically in October. The main objective of the festival is to heat up tourism in the Itaewon area, as well as attract foreign visitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwangjang Market</span> Street market in Seoul, South Korea

Gwangjang Market (Korean: 광장시장), previously Dongdaemun Market (동대문시장), is a traditional street market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea, with more than 5000 shops and 20,000 employees in an area of 42,000 m2 (450,000 sq ft). Approximately 65,000 people visit the market each day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goyang International Flower Festival</span>

The Goyang International Flower Festival is one of the largest flower festivals in South Korea and takes place in the city of Goyang. It attracts many visitors annually. The festival is held in a metropolitan area and serves as a model for local culture festivals, in which some foreign flower farmers participate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baekje Cultural Land</span> Historical theme park in Buyeo, South Korea

Baekje Cultural Land (Korean: 백제문화단지) is a Korean historical theme park located in Buyeo County in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It is the largest historical theme park in the country, built to preserve the history and culture of the Baekje kingdom. The theme park is one of the locations of the annual Baekje Cultural Festival. The location has been used for filming sageuk films and television series, for example Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was partially shot here, as well as an episode of Running Man.

Newtro (Hangul:뉴트로) is a portmanteau of the words "new" and "retro", and refers to the trend of "modernized retro". Newtro's beginnings can be traced back to 2018 in South Korea.

The Food Festivals of South Korea are a series of celebrations that provide insight into Korea's cuisine and culture. The cuisine ranges from traditional dishes through to modern interpretations and will often focus on regionally specific recipes and ingredients. They seek to retain Korean cultural identity, raise awareness, and promote local produce, cuisine, and the Korean food industry. Over time, some festivals and dishes such as Chimaek have become part of modern Korean culture and were further popularized by K-dramas.

References

  1. "Yukgeori market-Life Culture and Sightseeing City, Cheongju".
  2. 1 2 3 4 "전국 5대 재래시장, 청주 육거리종합시장<일상의 공간들, 우리 마을이야기<지역N문화 테마". Ncms.nculture.org. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  3. 1 2 "Visitkoreanmarket".
  4. "Artistic makeover for ancient Korean bridge". Travel Daily. 1 June 2017.
  5. "Dancing Musimcheondo, Cheongju Yukgeori Market – Cheongju, Chungbuk, Korea". codecorea.github.io. 25 March 2020.
  6. Jeong, Sang Kyu; Ban, Yong Un (January 2020). "Spatial Configurations for The Revitalization of a Traditional Market: The Case of Yukgeori Market in Cheongju, South Korea". Sustainability. 12 (7): 2937. doi: 10.3390/su12072937 .
  7. "재래시장 '온누리 상품권' 10% 할인판매 인기". 24 January 2019.
  8. ""청주 육거리시장·성안길에서 봄 축제 즐기세요"". 26 April 2017.
  9. "육거리종합시장, '코로나19 종식 염원 행사' 개최". 14 June 2021.
  10. "KTO Releases List of 16 Traditional Markets for Tourists". 15 May 2015.
  11. "중소벤처기업부".