Gongju City creates street food stalls despite hygiene issues… Controversy over preferential treatment

▲ ‘Memories Street Food Stall’ promoted by Gongju City, South Chungcheong Province as a pledge project of the 8th popularly elected mayor Choi Won-cheol.ⓒReporter Lee Gil-pyo

Controversy is rising as Gongju City takes the lead in operating the food cart business, which is subject to crackdowns in other regions due to hygiene issues, as a pledge project of Mayor Choi Won-cheol.

The ‘Street of Memories Food Stalls’, promoted as a pledge project by Mayor Choi Won-cheol of the 8th popular election, is operated by seven food stalls from 5 PM to 10 PM every Friday and Saturday from Jemincheon Jungdong Bridge to Jemincheongyo Bridge.

This is the area where Treasure No. 150, ‘Gongju Bunchun-dong Dangganjiju’ is located, and as it is the site of a temple from the Baekje period, it is pointed out that it is inappropriate to operate a food stall.

However, Gongju City invested 100 million won to create a food stall street equipped with electricity, lighting, and hot water facilities, with the goal of revitalizing the original downtown and generating income.

The city is even planning cultural performances with an additional budget of 30 million won.

In particular, controversy over preferential treatment is intensifying as food stall operators are receiving a deposit of 500,000 won and a monthly rent of 40,000 won.

A city official said, “As this is the early stage of the project, we will continue to improve any shortcomings.”