Sinjungang Market in Seoul to Be Revitalized with 18.7 Billion Won for Development as a 'Global Tourism Market'

First Shovel for Sinjungang Market, Seoul’s Pilot Design Innovation Traditional Market
From Local Marketplace to Global Tourist Destination
Completion Targeted for August 2027 as a Multi-Cultural Market Transformation

Sinjungang Market, located in Hwanghak-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, is set to transform into a global tourism market. The city plans to renovate the aging facilities, reorganize the spaces and circulation with a unified design, and connect the market with surrounding tourist attractions. Seoul City aims to create a space where both citizens and tourists can stay and linger for longer periods.

On September 22, Seoul City announced that it had officially kicked off the project with a “Design Innovation Traditional Market Groundbreaking Ceremony” at Sinjungang Market in the afternoon. This is the first of Seoul’s design innovation traditional market projects to actually enter the construction phase.

Aerial view of Jung-gu 'Shin Jungang Market,' set to be reborn as a design innovation traditional market. Seoul City

In 2023, Seoul City selected Sinjungang Market and Tongin Market as project sites and carried out design and business preparations to develop them into global tourism markets. The “design innovation traditional market” project moves beyond the standardization of arcades and convenience facilities by incorporating the market’s history, regional character, alley structure, and local business features into the design. The goal is to comprehensively improve space, landscape, and content to turn traditional markets from simple shopping venues into regional hubs where residents can experience daily life, culture, and tourism.

The project alone will invest 18.7 billion won. The plan includes creating an eco-friendly wooden roof structure that allows for natural sunlight, as well as terraced resting areas. In addition, by strengthening the connectivity between the market and 16 neighboring alleys, the city will transform the market into a space where citizens and tourists can shop, relax, and enjoy the local food and cultural experiences in the area. Completion is targeted for August 2027.

The design will incorporate “Roof Wave,” a proposal by Yoap Architects and TCA Architects, emphasizing the idea that the vibrancy of small alleys will spread into the wider neighborhood through the new market roof, focusing on naturally connecting the market with the surrounding alleys.

In particular, Sinjungang Market will be developed as a key anchor of the “Dongdaemun-Sindang Night Tourism and Commercial Belt,” connecting DDP, Hip Dang-dong, Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Alley, and Gwanghui-dong Central Asia Street. The plan is to channel visitors from DDP to the market and its neighboring areas, thereby increasing the length of stay and spending, and invigorating Seoul’s nighttime economy. In the long term, Seoul will collaborate with the market, merchant associations, and related organizations to further link the market to local food and cultural contents that reflect the neighborhood’s unique character.

After attending the groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited shops in Sinjungang Market to encourage merchants ahead of Chuseok, listened to their feedback and concerns, and exchanged views on revitalizing traditional markets and improving customer convenience. Jang Jongyun, head of the Sinjungang Market Merchants Association, stated, “Today is not simply the day we replace the market’s roof. It is a meaningful beginning to creating a safe and comfortable community for merchants and citizens to interact, marking the start of a new century for Sinjungang Market.”

Seoul City plans to broaden the “Seoul-style Traditional Market Innovation Model,” which highlights the distinctive characteristics of each market. The design innovation initiatives will be rolled out sequentially to Tongin Market in Jongno-gu and Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu, following the project at Sinjungang Market in Jung-gu. For Tongin Market, the design service will be completed by November this year, with construction to begin in February 2027. Cheongnyangni General Market is scheduled to hold a design competition in February 2027, with design innovation work to follow.

Mayor Oh said, “Sinjungang Market, the first design innovation traditional market in Seoul, is more than just a facility upgrade; it is the starting point for a renewed vision of the future of markets. Building on Seoul’s design capabilities, we will ensure that citizens and tourists stay longer and that the revitalizing energy spreads across neighboring business districts.”

Perspective view of Jung-gu 'Sinjungang Market,' set to be reborn as a design innovation traditional market. Seoul City

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.