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[Herald Economy = Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, a former presidential candidate who now leads campaign committees in nine districts, visited Gyeongdong Market and the traditional markets around Cheongnyangni at about 11 a.m. on May 5 to campaign for Dongdaemun district chief candidate Lee Pil-hyung and for city and district council candidates.
That day, Kim shook hands with market vendors and urged them to actively support the candidates.
Speaking with vendors, Kim said, “I’ve visited the Cheongnyangni traditional market once a year for the past three years. This is my third visit, and I see visible change each time.” He noted demolition of street stalls and environmental improvement work beginning at the market entrance and praised Lee’s strong leadership over the past four years for pushing those changes through despite administrative and political challenges.
He highlighted the reorganization of street vendors as one of Lee’s signature accomplishments.
Kim added, “These changes and that momentum affect not only the vendors but all Dongdaemun residents. Regardless of national politics, residents ultimately choose the people they need for local development, as multiple elections have shown.” He urged voters to support Lee, calling him precisely the kind of leader Dongdaemun needs.
Lee said, “Once construction around Gosanja-ro is complete, the area will take another step toward becoming a more walkable city.” He pledged to finish the street vendor reorganization and create a pleasant walking environment.
Lee said he offered Kim the honorary campaign chair position, which Kim readily accepted.
As of February 2026, Dongdaemun has reorganized 61.8% of illegal street stalls (196 of 317 locations) and 47.6% of all street stalls (275 of 578), exceeding its original target of reducing illegal stalls by 50%.
Notably, the district maintained its principles without compromising with corporate-style street vendors, implemented a nationwide first — a 100% real-name registration system for street stalls — and worked to improve pedestrian conditions through special judicial police operations under the Road Act.
The district also provided job-placement support through job centers for seniors who faced livelihood difficulties during the reorganization and pursued win-win measures such as standardizing and licensing street stalls to bring them into the formal economy. In recognition of these efforts, Seoul named Dongdaemun the city’s 2025 “Best Street Stall Reorganization District.”
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