Lee Visits a Market in Gyeyang, His Former Constituency; Residents Say, “Welcome Home”

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung visited Gyeyangsan Traditional Market in Gyeyang, Incheon—his former constituency—on the 20th and listened to merchants’ concerns. Merchants and residents greeted Lee, who often visited the market when he was a member of the National Assembly, saying, “Welcome home.”
Kang Yoo-jung, Cheong Wa Dae’s senior presidential spokesperson, said in a written briefing that Lee visited the market after concluding an on-site meeting on housing supply in a third-generation new town, and then reviewed prices and economic conditions and met with merchants at the market.
Lee walked around the market, shaking hands and taking photos with merchants and residents. A butcher said an autograph received from Lee in the past had been laminated and kept, then took it out and showed it.
Lee bought a croffle with an Onnuri Gift Certificate and shared it with Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae and National Assembly member Kim Nam-jun, who accompanied him. When a care worker he met at the site called for better working conditions, including recognition of prior experience, Lee also listened to related concerns.
At the meeting that followed, Seo Jang-yeol, chairman of the Incheon Merchants Association, explained that merchants were struggling because they were not receiving government support despite the difficult economy, simply because they were in the Seoul metropolitan area. He asked for interest in the Incheon Chaeum Project, which is being pursued with the city of Incheon.
Choi Hyung-woo, chairman of the Gyesan Market Merchants’ Association, said that as the number of alley-style shopping districts grows, traditional markets find it difficult to feel the effects of increased budgets. He called for measures such as allocating a separate budget.
Hong Ui-hui, head of the Gyeyang-gu Federation of Small Business Owners, said that elderly small-business owners have difficulty obtaining certificates confirming their small-business status and asked that alternatives be considered. Ha Jun-kyung, Cheong Wa Dae’s policy chief, replied that the matter would be reviewed.
Lee also asked Mayor Park about the operation of Incheon e-Eum, the local currency. The meeting was attended by representatives of market and small-business organizations, Mayor Park, and National Assembly members Kim Nam-jun and Yoo Dong-su.

[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter