Seoul breaks ground on Shin Jungang Market transformation

Seoul has commenced the construction of an 18.7 billion won ($12.6 million) transformation of Shin Jungang Market in the center of the capital's Jung District. The project aims to convert the traditional market into an attractive destination for both shoppers and tourists to enjoy local cuisine, rest, and experience the city's culture.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday, marking the start of the first project under the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Design Innovation Traditional Market initiative, with completion projected for August 2027.

Shin Jungang Market, originally established as Seongdong Market in 1962, has long been a cornerstone of Seoul's commerce. Alongside Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets, it played a pivotal role in the city's postwar trade. Over the years, the market gained particular notoriety for being Seoul's main wholesale center for grain and dried fish, becoming an integral part of the capital's daily life and culinary heritage.

The transformation project will see the replacement of the market's existing arcade with an environmentally friendly wooden roof that will allow natural light to flood in. Additionally, terraced resting areas will be added, and connections between the market's various sections will be improved, creating a more pleasant and accessible environment for visitors.