The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held an on-site roundtable on the 24th at Local Stitch in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, under the theme of "glocal commercial districts created through local culture."
At the roundtable, Vice Minister Lee Byeong-gweon of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) reviewed outcomes since the launch of the Tongyeong glocal commercial district project and gathered on-site opinions on ways to build and expand commercial districts based on local culture.
At the roundtable, Kim Su-min, head of DDPS, a real estate operating corporations, presented a case of developing local brands and discovering commercial district content based on Tongyeong's food and beverage culture, crafts, and natural environment. Kim also offered policy proposals for private sector-led, sustainable revitalization of commercial districts.
Song Yong-ho, CEO of Waterfront, introduced a collaboration case pursued by local small merchants to restore the commercial district. Waterfront is a local restaurant that developed a menu tailored to foreign tourists using Tongyeong seafood.
In the ensuing open discussion, attendees exchanged views on measures to revitalize glocal commercial districts by improving the environment for visits and stays and linking K-culture and tourism.
After the roundtable, Vice Minister Lee Byeong-gweon visited Waterfront, Luminoso Perfume Workshop, and Dongpirang Drawing Shop Geureona to tour spaces offering special experiences and encouraged the efforts of small merchants to revitalize the commercial district.
Lee said, "We will focus on nurturing distinctive glocal commercial districts by linking them with K-tourism, culture, and industry," adding, "We will actively support the spread of creative success models built on local culture in partnership with relevant ministries and local governments."
Following the Tongyeong glocal commercial district roundtable, Lee visited Jinju Jungang Market, a traditional market representing South Gyeongsang, to look around stores with a focus on key household price items. Lee also took time to hear a wide range of opinions from merchants—on the role and function of traditional markets as regional economic hubs, ways to strengthen commercial district competitiveness, and difficulties—through communication with them.