[Traditional Market N] From Jusung Market to Today, Jeju's 5-Day Market L...

Jeju Folk Five-Day Market. Photo by Jeju Tourism Organization website.

The Jeju Folk Five-Day Market, located at 26 5iljangseo-gil in Jeju City, operates on days ending in 2 and 7 each month. Positioned near Jeju International Airport and Dodu Port, the market remains easily accessible not only to residents but also to travelers visiting the island.

With 1,004 stores and a total area of 67,531 square meters, the market expands into a large-scale trading ground on market days. Agricultural produce, seafood, medicinal herbs, flowers, earthenware, clothing, household goods, and livestock are all gathered in one place. Products from both Jeju’s fields and seas converge here, making it one of the island’s most representative marketplaces.

The origins of the market trace back to the early 20th century, closely tied to the formation of Jeju’s commercial system.

The 2nd and 7th Day Market Tradition

Historically, Jeju developed as a self-sufficient island economy based on agriculture, livestock, and fishing. Commercial activity emerged later than on the mainland, with itinerant merchants, known as bobusang, playing a key role in early distribution. They transported goods from the mainland while circulating local products between villages.

A formal market system was established in 1906 under the governance of Jeju County magistrate Yoon Won-gu, who aimed to stimulate regional trade. The central market created at that time was Jusung Market, also known as Seonganjang, meaning “market inside the fortress.” It was initially held near Gwandeokjeong Pavilion and the Tapdong area, historically the administrative and social center of Jeju.

Jeju Folk Five-Day Market. Photo by Jeju Tourism Organization website.

Jusung Market operated on the 2nd and 7th days, a schedule that continues today in the Jeju Folk Five-Day Market. Goods traded included traditional headwear, woven goods, fish, salt, oil, metal tools, and livestock. Locally produced items such as bamboo hats and wooden combs were distributed beyond Jeju to major mainland cities, establishing the market as a regional distribution hub.

From Gwandeokjeong to Dodu-dong

The market did not remain in a single location. As Jeju’s urban structure evolved, the marketplace relocated multiple times. From Gwandeokjeong and Tapdong, it moved through several areas including Seosara Intersection, the Red Cross vicinity, the sports complex, and Sarabong Park.

The market settled in its current location in Dodu-dong in 1998, reflecting both urban expansion and modernization. A redevelopment project between 1996 and 1998 established structured facilities, including market buildings, parking areas, and customer service centers.

Jeju Folk Five-Day Market. Photo by Jeju Tourism Organization website.

Today, the market remains one of Jeju’s most active traditional markets. Its proximity to major transportation hubs ensures steady foot traffic, serving both as a daily shopping space for locals and a cultural destination for visitors.

The “Grandmothers’ Market” and Living Culture

One of the defining features of the Jeju Folk Five-Day Market is the “Grandmothers’ Market,” a designated area where women aged 65 and older sell agricultural products they have grown themselves.

Unlike standardized commercial goods, these products vary in size and form, reflecting small-scale farming practices. The space embodies Jeju’s rural lifestyle, women’s labor, and community-based economy. The term “halmang,” meaning grandmother in the Jeju dialect, underscores the region’s linguistic and cultural identity.

Where Field and Sea Meet

Agricultural sections offer vegetables, grains, beans, and seasonal produce, while seafood areas feature fish such as tilefish, hairtail, mackerel, and dried seafood products. The coexistence of land and sea products within a single market highlights the island’s integrated subsistence structure.

Jeju Folk Five-Day Market. Photo by Jeju Tourism Organization website.

Beyond food, the market includes specialized zones for flowers, pottery, medicinal herbs, and livestock. The pottery section sells traditional storage jars, while the herbal market offers dried medicinal plants. Livestock areas include small animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.

A traditional blacksmith shop also operates within the market, producing and repairing farming tools such as sickles and hoes. This presence illustrates the market’s continued connection to everyday agricultural life.

A Market Carrying Debate and Continuity

While thriving, the market has also faced challenges, particularly regarding animal trade controversies in the past. These debates have influenced both public perception and administrative policy, reflecting the complexities of maintaining traditional markets in a modern context.

Despite the nationwide decline of traditional markets, Jeju Folk Five-Day Market continues to attract large crowds. On market days, narrow aisles fill with shoppers, and the surrounding areas experience heavy traffic.

A Living Space of Jeju’s Daily Life

The market is not merely a historical site but an active economic and cultural space. For residents, it remains a place to purchase daily necessities. For visitors, it offers a direct encounter with Jeju’s marketplace culture.

Its legacy traces back to Jusung Market in 1906, evolving through relocation, modernization, and social change. Yet the rhythm of the 2nd and 7th day market continues unchanged, preserving a structure that has endured for over a century.

Jeju Folk Five-Day Market stands as a living example of how goods, people, and traditions continue to intersect in the present.

Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press

* This article was manually prepared as a translated piece and later proofread and reviewed with the assistance of AI.