Dispute intensifies over street food stalls near Seoul elementary school
As autumn reaches its peak, street food stalls across from Yeomni Elementary School in Seoul's Mapo District begin lighting up one by one in the early evening. On Oct. 8, the aroma of spicy rice cakes spread through the street. Office workers heading home and nearby residents gathered at the stalls, where drinking sessions continued late into the night. As the cooler season draws more visitors to…
As autumn arrives in full force, street food stalls emerge from the shadows near Yeomni Elementary School in Seoul's Mapo District. On October 8, the delectable scent of spicy rice cakes wafted through the streets, drawing office workers and residents alike to the vendors' tables. As cooler weather beckons more people to enjoy outdoor dining, the longstanding disagreement between locals and street vendors flared up once more.
In the spring, parents initiated a petition advocating for the removal of the stalls, citing safety concerns for pedestrians and worries about children's exposure to drinking and smoking. This autumn, the vendors retaliated with their own petition, pleading with authorities to safeguard their means of livelihood. The conflict has intensified recently due to the area's newfound notoriety on social media as a prime spot for cherry blossom viewing and outdoor dining, dubbed "cherry blossom night market."
The street food stalls have been in place for decades near Yeomni Elementary School. However, recent tensions have surged following the sudden surge of visitors to the area, transforming it into a popular destination for cherry blossom enthusiasts.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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