Once a beacon of hope for revitalizing the local economy, Jeonju's '10,000 Won Happiness Street,' located near Nosongcheon Stream, has now faded into obscurity. Established in 2012 by the Jeonju City government to inject life into the Central Market area, the street aimed to offer visitors the flavors of Jeonju for just 10,000 won. A substantial investment of 747 million won was made to install sculptures, an outdoor stage, and other street enhancements. Initially, the street garnered attention with various events like charity drives and cultural performances. However, over time, the '10,000 Won Happiness Street' lost its vitality and spiraled into decline.
The primary issue lies in the erosion of the symbolic '10,000 won' concept due to high inflation and economic recession. Citizens can no longer enjoy a satisfying meal for 10,000 won, and the street has become merely a pathway to the Central Market. The sculptures and signboards at the street's entrance fail to capture attention, leaving the area eerily silent. In reality, few citizens visit the street, with only merchants guarding the empty space. Citizens seem either unaware of the street's existence or have forgotten its significance.
This citizen apathy has directly impacted the commercial district, leading to its collapse. Lee Min-hee, who has run a tripe restaurant for over a decade, lamented, "Customers stopped coming long before COVID-19, and recently, it's become difficult to sell anything under 10,000 won due to high prices." Baek Mo, who operates a Korean set meal restaurant, also expressed despair, saying, "As you can see from the 'For Sale' signs on the shops, this area is already dead."
The local government's indifference has further accelerated the street's decline. The department responsible for the street's creation no longer exists, and no efforts are being made to revitalize it. A Jeonju City official stated, "Currently, there is no one managing the 10,000 Won Happiness Street."
Urgent attention and effort from the local community are needed to prevent the '10,000 Won Happiness Street' from becoming a ghost town. The local government, merchants, and citizens must unite to breathe new life into the street. It is hoped that the '10,000 Won Happiness Street' will once again flourish as a vibrant space where citizens eagerly gather.
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