End of an era: 110-year-old Yuseong Market closes physical location for redevelopment

The closure of the Yuseong Market marks the end of an era for Daejeon, a city that has seen rapid development. For over a century, this market has been a vibrant hub, a place where generations have shopped, worked, and built their lives. The news of its impending relocation, while necessary for urban renewal, carries a heavy emotional weight for the long-time vendors and the community.

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It's heartbreaking.

Vendors like Han Sun-bok, 90, who has run a women's clothing store, 'Sam-il Yang-haeng,' for nearly 50 years, express a deep sense of sorrow. "It's heartbreaking," she says, her eyes welling up as she speaks of selling off her remaining stock at a discount. Her husband, Kim In-tae, 91, adds that the market has been instrumental in raising their five children, even enabling two to study abroad. Their story is a testament to the market's role not just as a place of commerce, but as a foundation for family aspirations.

The redevelopment plan will see the demolition of the permanent shops within the market, though the traditional 5-day open-air market is slated to continue at a temporary location by the river. This transition, however, is fraught with anxiety. A 60-something vegetable vendor voices a common concern: "I don't know if more people will come or not after we move... I'm worried, but also anticipating, I don't know." Another seafood vendor, who has sold his wares at Yuseong for 30 years, laments the loss of his familiar open-air space, fearing the confinement of indoor or temporary settings. Yet, amidst the sadness, there's a flicker of hope. Lee Mi-young, who has sold roasted seaweed for over 13 years, sees the relocation as an opportunity to expand her business.

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I don't know if more people will come or not after we move... I'm worried, but also anticipating, I don't know.

This story resonates deeply in South Korea, where the rapid pace of modernization often clashes with the preservation of traditional spaces and livelihoods. While international news might focus on the economic aspects of urban redevelopment, for the people of Daejeon, it's about the disruption of deeply ingrained community ties and the uncertain future of those who have dedicated their lives to the market. The Yuseong Market's story is a microcosm of the challenges faced by many traditional markets across the country as they navigate the demands of progress.

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I've been selling here for 30 years, it's a shame. It's suffocating for people like us to move from selling on the street into a building. I don't know if they'll continue or stop.