Youngdeungpo Moon Market supports business initiatives and cultural activities in the underprivileged community in Seoul. Social entrepreneurs, artists, youth cultural activists, as well as community residents will be invited to have healthy fun.

Seoul, Korea ¶ May 22, 2012--Started off as the cultural center for work and play for the youth in 1999, Haja Center has been also supporting them with career and vocational counseling, but It has also introduced interesting ideas and helped them to be developed into successful cases of local community activities with social entrepreneurs, small town businesses, and local town currency. The Youngdeungpo Moon Market which opens on May 25^th at 5PM in front yard of Haja Center suggests a new model of business platform and community based network where the townspeople become the owner.

The Korean name of Dalsijang or Youngdeungpo Moon Market came from the “Sweet Town Market” where the townspeople would gather around every Friday evening when the moon starts to rise. The Youngdeungpo-gu office has been sponsoring the market.  

About 40 socially responsible corporations—half of them based on the specialties of Youngdeungpo’s cultural and ecological background—entered the market and were warmly welcomed. Their unique characteristics were quite different from those of the ready-made products globally distributed into this corner of the market from who knows where.

It also has the art market selling traditional crafts, quilts, recycling art pieces, next to the theater where the audience can get immersed in the stage play and performances. The flea market was also planned out by the community. A few side events of the Moon Market include the Moon Radio “Dalrio” to share some of the interesting stories of the market.

To build upon the momentum of previous achievements, Youngdeungpo Dal Market plans to experiment with the alternative local economy as a community business platform starting from May 25^th. The case in point is the town currency “Start Currency.” The currency is alternative system that trades the goods and services with the Star Currency earned from donation of time and talent, or volunteering activities.

The currency is deposited and managed in a pseudo checking account in the local community. The local office plans to expand the number of stores who take Star Currency.

Last year, about 60 to 70 stores per month took part in the open market with 2,000 visitors, but this year it is expected the event will draw a bigger number of stores and visitors. The Moon Market opens every month on May 25^th, June 29^th, Aug 31^st, Sep 21^st, and Oct 26^th.

Jeansun Kim (press@whowired.com)