No more cash-only at Myeong-dong's street stalls

Retail merchants at one of Myeong-dong's street stalls (Jung-gu District Office)

Visitors to Myeong-dong's street stalls will soon have the option to make payments via cards, along with improved hygiene measures such as the food vendors wearing gloves, masks and caps.

These are some of the voluntary efforts of the area’s merchants, announced by Seoul’s Jung-gu district office on Monday, to bolster their reputation among tourists and enhance the overall visitor experience.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Seoul, Myeong-dong’s image has been tarnished in recent years by controversies such as some street stall merchants overcharging customers and demanding payments only in cash.

Officials at the Jung-gu Office, which has jurisdiction over Myeong-dong, added that the prices of top 10 popular street foods sold at Myeong-dong will be regularly monitored by the representatives of the merchants themselves, while information on the ingredients and food manufacturing processes will be disclosed to ensure transparency regarding pricing decisions.

If vendors anticipate the need for price hikes, they will engage in discussions with the district office before realizing them, the district office said.

The district also plans to conduct hygiene checks and even require merchants to submit medical checkup certificates on a regular basis.

Officials from an association of vendors in Myeong-dong emphasized that these efforts reflect the collective will of the merchants, expressing dedication to nurturing and promoting a positive image of Myeong-dong's street stalls.

By No Kyung-min(minmin@heraldcorp.com)