Easing the Burden of Chuseok Shopping: 61 Traditional Markets in Seoul Offer Discounts of Up to 30%

[Financial News] Ahead of Chuseok, 61 traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts in Seoul will offer discounts of up to 30% on holiday essentials and agricultural, livestock, and fishery products. At 42 of these markets, shoppers can also receive refunds of up to 30% of their purchase amount in Onnuri Gift Certificates, allowing them to receive combined discounts and refunds approaching 60%, depending on the conditions. Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 8th that it will hold the “2026 Chuseok Holiday Special Event” at 61 traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts across the city.
Each market will offer discounts of up to 30% on holiday essentials and agricultural, livestock, and fishery products. At 42 markets, shoppers will also receive refunds of up to 30% of their purchase amount in Onnuri Gift Certificates in addition to the discounts. The initiative is intended to ease the burden of holiday shopping by applying each market’s discount and refund conditions.
Chuseok activities that shoppers can enjoy alongside their purchases will also be held throughout the markets. Dogok Market will offer traditional games such as tuho and jegichagi, while Gobundari Market will host a customer talent show. Hwagok Central Market will offer dumpling-making classes for customers who make purchases.
Daemyeong Yeoulbit Street Market will host classical performances, songpyeon-making, and face-painting activities. Tongin Market will hold a prize event featuring “magic dishcloths with no losing tickets.”
A separate Onnuri Gift Certificate refund event will also take place. In cooperation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), Seoul Metropolitan Government will refund up to 30% of purchase amounts in Onnuri Gift Certificates from the 16th through the 20th at 44 seafood markets and 49 agricultural and livestock product markets across Seoul.
Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to issue Seoul Love Gift Certificates for Chuseok. Details on the issuance schedule, volume, and purchasing method will be announced later.
In addition, the number of traditional markets where free parking and stopping will be permitted nearby through the 27th will increase to 73 this year, from 71 during the previous Lunar New Year holiday. The operating periods and permitted hours for each market can be checked on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website.
Safety management at traditional markets will also be strengthened ahead of the holiday. Seoul Metropolitan Government has been conducting safety inspections of key facilities, including electrical, gas, and firefighting systems, at 254 traditional markets since the 24th of last month and will continue through the 11th.
Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to deploy support personnel during periods when congestion is expected, in cooperation with district offices and market merchants’ associations. It will also establish emergency contact networks with local fire stations and police stations to respond swiftly to emergencies.
Park Kyung-hwan, head of Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Civil Affairs and Labor Bureau, said, “We organized this event so that residents who feel the burden of shopping ahead of Chuseok can reduce their expenses, while traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts can gain greater consumer activity.” He added, “We hope you will purchase fresh holiday essentials affordably at a nearby traditional market and enjoy the holiday atmosphere with your family.”

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter