Busan Jagalchi Modernization Market union protests ahead of 20-year free service expiration

As the 20-year free use period for Busan Jagalchi Modern Market stores ends at the end of this month, the Busan Fish and Shellfish Processing Association is strongly protesting when Busan City announced changes to its operating guidelines.

The Busan Fish and Shellfish Processing Association held a condemnation rally in front of Busan City Hall on the morning of the 9th and announced collective action, including shaving the heads of the union leader and suspending market operations for three days until the 11th.

The union claimed, “The Busan Fish and Shellfish Processing Association has been managing and operating the Jagalchi Market for over 50 years,” and added, “We must ensure that our union, with its uniqueness and tradition, can continue to manage and operate the market.”

Jagalchi Modern Market was built in 2006 with 7 floors above ground and 2 floors underground.

At that time, the city spent 40.7 billion won to create a market to replace the existing Jagalchi Market, which was aging, after consultation with the relevant cooperative and other merchants.

To create the market, the cooperative borne about 10 billion won of the construction costs, and has since used the stores on the first and second floors of the market free of charge for 20 years in accordance with the Public Property Act.

The free use contract expires on the 30th of this month.

Last month, the city held an information session for merchants and informed them of the store use permit standards that will be applied from December, store re-entry methods, and a fee-based conversion plan.

Following the termination of the contract, merchants who operate actual stores among Busan Fish and Shellfish Processing Association members can obtain store use permission through a private contract.

Union members who operate directly can continue to do business at existing stores, while union members who do not directly operate stores must go through general bidding.

After announcing the restoration and return of stores earlier this month, the city will accept applications for permission to use stores for a fee for three days from the 9th to the 11th.

It is known that store usage fees will be calculated in accordance with the Public Property Act and will be cheaper than the surrounding market price.

A city official said, “This is a measure taken in response to the termination of the free use contract,” and added, “We are continuing dialogue with the union to ensure a smooth negotiation.”