Seoul has made traditional markets and the lives of ordinary people who work them a priority in its planning in a remarkably far-sighted and enlightened move. This poster put out by the city government encourages people to buy at local markets from ordinary vendors (as opposed to large department stores, we can imply). Such an effort is yet another reason I feel Seoul is different from other mega-cities. Specifically, Seoul has set up a twice monthly vacation for large supermarkets to help local markets.
Part of the text reads:
“Traditional markets sell affection”
[twice monthly holiday for large scale store and corporate supermarkets]
“when you buy things at traditional markets, you also buy “affection” (jong)”