Interior ministry runs Chuseok market for Jeonbuk farmers

The interior ministry said Thursday it will operate a Chuseok marketplace at the Local Government Talent Development Institute. The event begins Sept. 17 in the institute's main lobby with discounts of up to 40 percent on selected items.

Marking the first collaboration with the Jeonbuk Regional Postal Service, this year's market allows customers to receive free nationwide delivery via post office parcels. Shoppers can purchase about 35 types of specialty goods, including apples from Jangsu County and red ginseng products from Jinan County, during the initial run through Friday.

A second session is scheduled for Sept. 22 to 23, featuring about 30 items from Wanju County vendors. Products such as peaches, grapes and flower vinegar from the Wanju Mall will be available at reduced prices.

The holiday market has generated about 15 million won in sales per session since its launch in 2015. The institute also held Friday markets throughout the year at the request of local partners, recording total sales of 71 million won across 15 events by the end of August.

"We hope this marketplace, organized for Chuseok, will widely promote excellent agricultural and specialty products from the Jeonbuk region and provide substantial help to local farmers and small business owners," said Park Dae-min, acting head of the institute. "We will continue to push for various win-win cooperation activities that allow us to grow together with the local community."