Kim Dong-yeon Pledges to Protect Values of Traditional and Alley Markets During Lunar New Year Holiday

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province pledged to protect the values of traditional markets and alley markets during the Lunar New Year holiday break.

On the 23rd, Governor Kim Dong-yeon recalled childhood memories of traditional markets through SNS, saying "The reason I frequently visit traditional markets is because of long-lasting memories."

He then reminisced about recent visits to Uijeongbu Cheil Market and Yongin Central Market, stating "Protecting common people and small business owners is more important than ever," and added "Gyeonggi Province will protect the value of traditional markets and alley commerce that cannot be measured solely by economic standards."

The following is the full text of Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS post.

<Alleys Soaked in Memories>

The reason I frequently visit traditional markets is because of long-lasting memories.

My mother, raising six children alone, worked at a quarry and also foraged greens in the mountains to sell at the market. When I see the rough hands of market vendors, I remember my mother who worked so hard.

After passing the civil service examination, during my days working at the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government, I vividly remember commuting home by cutting through 'Yuggori Market.'

During the recent election campaign, I visited Uijeongbu Cheil Market and had lunch with the merchants' association chairman.

"Vice Premier, you're trying janchiguksu for the first time, aren't you?"

When they heard I had served as Vice Premier, they assumed I was someone who had never experienced hardship.

"From childhood, my family was poor, so I ate a lot of sujebi and kalguksu, and I still love them very much."

As the merchants' association chairman listened to my childhood story, his eyes reddened with tears, and he began to cry as he shared that he also lost his father at a young age.

This month, I also visited Uijeongbu Cheil Market and Yongin Central Market.

Protecting common people and small business owners who could suffer significant damage during an economic crisis is more important than ever.

Gyeonggi Province will protect the value of traditional markets and alley commerce that cannot be measured solely by economic standards.