Seogwipo Rural Five-Day Market
Traditional market in Seogwipo, South Korea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Seogwipo Rural Five-Day Market (Korean: 서귀포시 향토 오일장; Hanja: 西歸浦鄕土五日市場) is a traditional market that operates once every five days, located in Donghong-dong, Seogwipo, South Korea.[1]
- Donghong-dong, Seogwipo, Jeju Province, South Korea
- 33.2672°N 126.5737°E
Part of the market (2023) | |
| Location |
|
|---|---|
| Opening date | September 1995 |
| Parking | 1,000 |
| Website | sgp5 |
 Interactive map of Seogwipo Rural Five-Day Market | |
The market operates on the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, and 29th of each month.[1][2] It is the largest such five-day market in Seogwipo (the southern half of Jeju Island).[3]
Description
The market's concept is based on a Joseon-era model, where market days are spaced out every five days.[1][4] The market sells a wide variety of foods, souvenirs, clothing,[4] art, and crafts.[3] The market has hosted events such as raffles for its customers.[5] It reportedly has a monthly concert and performance.[3]
The market was approved to be created on March 22, 1974, initially for a different location, in Seohong-dong.[1][4][3] It eventually opened in September 1995 at its current location.[1] The market was renovated beginning in 1999. More land for it was purchased in 2002. It was expanded in 2006, and the parking lot was expanded in 2007.[1] An undated Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture article claimed that a performance hall and other facilities were being built for the market.[1] The market reportedly experienced a lull in business during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
It has an area of 32,784 m2 (352,880 ft2), with businesses occupying 10,916 m2 (117,500 ft2) of space. It has parking capacity for 1,000 cars, reportedly the most for a market in South Korea.[1] It had 534 businesses in 2022.[7] Its average daily sales in 2022 was reportedly ₩287.69 million. It reportedly had an average of 28,833 visitors per day.[7] The market is reportedly popular for both tourists and locals, who appreciate its low prices.[8] The high volume of visitors has led to a reported consistent shortage of parking.[9][10] In 2017, it was announced that a new parking structure for 300 more vehicles would be constructed for the market.[10]
