Chungcheongnam-do held the opening ceremony for the "2026 National Excellent Market Fair" at the Art Center Goma area in Gongju on the 9th, kicking off a three-day schedule.

Co-organized by the provincial government, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the city of Gongju, the Small Enterprise and Market Service, and the Federation of Korean Traditional Markets, this fair was designed to showcase excellent products from traditional markets and shopping districts nationwide and to explore ways to revitalize traditional markets through exchanges among merchants.

Attended by approximately 350 people, including Governor Park Soo-hyun, key dignitaries, and visitors, the event featured performances, awards for meritorious individuals, an opening ceremony, and a tour of the fairgrounds.

Marking the first time the National Excellent Market Fair—which began in 2004—is held within the province, the event is significant as it brings together outstanding traditional markets and merchants from all over the country to explore new leaps and development directions for traditional markets.

A total of 120 traditional markets and shopping districts and 133 stores nationwide are participating in this fair. From within the province, 16 booths are participating, including 11 exhibition and sales pavilions, 4 food markets, and 1 youth merchant pavilion. During the event, various programs will be presented, including exhibitions and sales of traditional markets and regional excellent products, real-time live commerce, food markets, and cultural events.

At the opening ceremony, Governor Park encouraged merchants who participated from all over the country and inspected the excellent products and foods of the traditional markets.

He toured exhibition and sales spaces such as Gongju Sanseong Market and Gwangcheon Traditional Market, as well as the food market, youth merchant spaces, and public-private cooperation spaces in turn, listening closely to the voices from the field.

In his remarks, Governor Park stated, "1500 years ago, Ungjin Baekje was the center of East Asian exchange, and it is deeply meaningful that a harmonious festival where people and culture blend together has been prepared here in Gongju, which embraces such a proud history." He added, "Although the trends of the times and consumption have changed, the unique charm of each market and the dedicated passion of the merchants remain the one-and-only competitiveness of traditional markets. We will strongly support traditional markets so that they can be reborn as the center of regional commercial areas where people gather and stay."

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