Gangdong-gu Office, headed by Mayor Lee Jung-hun, said it had pulled down street stalls in Godeok Traditional Market on November 6 and 7 through continuous communication with merchants regarding the reconstruction of Godeok Jugong Apartment Complex 2.

The stalls were temporary structures that had occupied the 220-meter section of the road and sidewalk near Godeok Jugong Apartment Complex 2. There were conflicts with merchants although removing the street stalls was inevitable for the sake of road expansion and infrastructure construction before the start of the apartment reconstruction.

In consideration of the severity of the issue, Gangdong-gu Office tried to find ways to save street vendors and the regional commercial district through policy meetings in February instead of resorting unilaterally to the administrative execution by proxy.

Municipal officials, in particular, formed a win-win task force to talk with vendors through a series of meetings and listened to their demands and difficulties. They also held ‘explanation sessions’ three times to seek a win-win solution, resulting in raising confidence in civil service and creating sympathy for reorganizing the street stalls.

A ‘win-win agreement’ was signed on June 5 after lengthy dialogue and communication, stipulating that some sections are rebuilt and merchants cooperate in the administrative execution by proxy. However, the Office was in an ambiguous position recommending neither side to yield in negotiations between the builder and vendors.

The situation got worse as both sides engaged in endless talks, including eight rounds of meetings on compensation for lost operations resulting from noise and dust. Hence the Office arranged a meeting place for the builder and vendors to communicate and these efforts produced a dramatic compromise in late October with concessions from vendors.

Gangdong-gu Office plans to provide merchants in need during the suspension of operations with added points in taking part in public works projects and will do its utmost to arrange jobs in the construction site.

“It’s fortunate to see the rearrangement of street stalls completed well thanks to our continuous effort in carrying out communication,” said an official at Gangdong-gu Office, adding that “we will do our utmost to make merchants, apartment residents, and neighbors have pleasant experiences in connection with the establishment of new street stalls and the creation of the alternative site.”

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  Live broadcast of the ‘warm wintering’ campaign

  

  After street stalls are pulled down

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