49 traditional markets from across the country gather in one place... Yeongnam-Honam Traditional Market Fair in Busan, the 6th–8th

[Financial News] An event offering a chance to experience the outstanding products and culture of traditional markets from across the country, including Yeongnam and Honam, all in one place, will be held in Busan.
Busan City said on the 4th that the 2026 Yeongnam-Honam Traditional Market Fair will be held from the 6th to the 8th at and around Dasom Plaza in Busan Citizens Park.
Jointly hosted by the Busan City Merchants Association and the Jeonnam Merchants Association, the fair will showcase outstanding products from traditional markets across the country and local specialties.
Forty-nine traditional markets from 10 cities and provinces nationwide and around 50 businesses will take part, showcasing specialties and food representing their respective regions at around 90 booths.
In Busan, visitors can find signature products from local traditional markets, including seaweed and kelp from Gijang Market, sesame oil from Mangmi Central Market, and live abalone from Jagalchi Coastal Market.
Specialties from other regions will also be plentiful. Visitors can find distinctive products from across the country, including Yeonggwang gulbi from Gulbigol Yeonggwang Market in Jeonnam, Naju pears from Naju Moksa-goeul Market, cave-aged salted seafood from Gwangcheon Traditional Market in South Chungcheong Province, and ginseng and red ginseng from Punggi Ginseng and Red Ginseng Shopping District in North Gyeongsang Province.
At the food market, visitors can enjoy signature dishes from traditional markets in different regions, including banquet noodles, fish cakes and scallion pancakes from Gupo Market in Busan; pork barbecue and market-style soup with rice from the North Chungcheong Merchants Association; and seasoned pork intestines and flame-grilled chicken feet from Doma Keun Market in Daejeon.
Performances and hands-on programs for citizens and merchants to enjoy together have also been prepared for the fair. They include “Nationwide Market Showcase,” in which market representatives take the stage to introduce the charms of their markets; “Our Market Quiz Champion,” where visitors answer questions about each market’s story; and a performance by the Jeollanam-do Market Traveling Troupe.
Other activities include daily prize drawings for customers who make purchases, as well as a variety of hands-on programs such as rice-cake pounding, writing family mottos in calligraphy, and a retro photo studio.
The “4th Busan Merchants’ Day” event will be held on the morning of the 8th, the final day of the fair. The Busan City Merchants Association has held the event every year since 2023 to boost traditional market merchants’ pride and promote exchange and fellowship among them. This year marks its fourth edition.
The opening ceremony will begin with merchants from each market entering, followed by awards for those who have contributed to revitalizing traditional markets and an opening performance. In the afternoon, a merchants’ talent show, an O/X quiz, recreational activities and celebratory performances by invited singers will follow, creating an opportunity for merchants to come together.
The city expects the fair and Merchants’ Day to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation among regions and encourage greater public interest in and visits to traditional markets.

[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter