The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will host "Seoro Jangteo," the nation's largest direct transaction market, at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall from September 15 to 17 in celebration of the Chuseok holiday.

The name "Seoro" is a combination of the first syllables of "Seoul" and "local," signifying a direct market where cities and rural areas, as well as consumers and producers, come together.

The city explained that the market has continued for 18 years since 2009 as a venue of coexistence that offers high-quality agricultural and marine specialties from across the country at affordable prices while opening up direct sales channels for local farming households.

A total of 87 basic local governments from 10 cities and provinces will participate in Seoro Jangteo, selling representative agricultural and marine specialties at prices 10 to 30 percent lower than market rates.

Visitors can find a wide variety of products ranging from regional specialties such as Uiseong garlic, Yeosu Dolsan mustard kimchi, and Sokcho gajami-sikhae (fermented flatfish and grain) to processed foods like Nonsan strawberry sikhae and Sangju dried persimmon cheese walnut rolls.

The city plans to introduce the Seoul Pay payment system at the market to allow the use of Seoul Love Gift Certificates.

Starting this year, payments can also be made using the Culture Voucher (Munhwa Nuri Card), which is used by basic livelihood security recipients and others.

Various programs will also be operated at the event venue, including an experience booth replicating a traditional grain mill where visitors can make red pepper powder, transfer grains using chopsticks, and make wish bracelets.

Detailed information can be found on the official website (2026 Chuseok-miguk-seoro-jangteo.kr).

Kwak Chong-bin, head of the Administration Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We hope many citizens will visit this festival of coexistence between Seoul and local regions to prepare for an abundant holiday."

(Photo provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government, Yonhap News)