Seoul plans major overhaul of 84-year-old Tongin Market

A rendering of the renovation plan for Tongin Market / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Tongin Market, an 84‑year‑old traditional market in central Seoul that dates back to the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea, is set to undergo a major design overhaul as the city government moves to blend heritage with modern infrastructure.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday, the renovation is part of its “traditional market design innovation” initiative, which also includes Sinjungang Market (Seoul Central Market) near Sindang Station in central Seoul. Officials say the project is intended to modernize aging infrastructure and strengthen Tongin Market’s role as a cultural and tourism anchor for the neighborhood.

“Through the program, we will strive both to preserve the unique history and identity of the market and to ensure that it can take root as a sustainable urban asset,” said Lee Hae-sun, a senior official at the city government.

To carry out the overhaul, the city government plans to invest 9.75 billion won ($6.63 million) in a comprehensive redesign slated for completion by the end of next year. The project will be led by Jiyo Architects, which has been tasked with improving the market’s circulation, safety and overall shopping environment while maintaining the jumble of small vendors and the historic character that have long defined the space.

Tongin Market traces its origins back to 1941, when it was established as a public market to serve Japanese residents near Hyoja-dong during the colonial period. After the 1950-53 Korean War, it evolved into a full-fledged traditional market as vendors and shops clustered in the growing Seochon neighborhood. Today the market stretches some 200 meters, covering 3,034 square meters and housing 76 shops.

Thanks to its location next to Seochon Hanok Village and Gyeongbok Palace, Tongin Market has become a popular stop for both locals and foreign tourists.

However, aging facilities have long contributed to a somewhat outdated image. In particular, the market’s main passage is only about 6 meters wide, which many visitors have long complained about.

The initiative aims to change that. The new design ― titled “Origin of Place, Accumulation of Time” ― proposes turning Tongin Market into a dynamic space where time and stories overlap, emphasizing its dual nature as both a street and a market. Jiyo Architects will treat the existing columns as physical records of a meaningful social agreement reached between market stakeholders about 20 years ago and keep them in place as key historical elements.

A new, wider beam system will be installed above these columns, conceptually separating the time-worn supports from the newly added arcade structure while allowing old and new to coexist within a single framework, according to the design team.

At alley intersections, new facilities will be added to extend the flow of the market into side streets, strengthening its connection with the surrounding neighborhood.