South Jeolla Province

Mokpo Dongbu Market, which grew from a street stall area in 1958 to 305 shops

Mokpo Dongbu Market is a permanent traditional market formed in 1958 when street vendors gathered together. It is one of Mokpo’s major traditional markets, offering everything from fruit, seafood, meat, and dried fish to clothing and household goods. Overall operating hours and closing days have not been confirmed in publicly available sources, but the market can be reached via the Dongbu Market South Gate bus stop and a paid public parking lot.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 15 min 79

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Yeongsan-ro 257beon-gil Market, Founded as a Street-Vendor Market in 1958

Mokpo Dongbu Market was formed in 1958 when street vendors gathered together. Its official website currently introduces it as a market with a 60-year tradition, showing how it developed into a permanent traditional market where people buy and sell goods within Mokpo’s everyday living area.

In May 2005, a public restroom and merchants’ association office were newly built, and in August of the same year, a traditional market association was established. Mokpo traditional market gift certificates were issued in January 2008, and nationwide Onnuri gift certificates were issued in July 2009, expanding the ways to use traditional markets.

목포동부시장 통로와 점포가 이어진 모습입니다. — A view of the passageways and shops connected throughout Mokpo Dongbu Market. — Photo source: tonghabnews.com

305 Shops Within an Area of 11,032㎡

According to reports from 2017, Mokpo Dongbu Market had 305 shops, with a retail area of 11,032㎡. The same report stated that approximately 340 people worked in the market and explained that it was difficult to find vacant shops at the time.

Daily visitors were reported to number more than 10,000 as of 2017. Accordingly, this is closer to an active neighborhood market driven by actual grocery-shopping demand than to a quiet exhibition space, and visitors should move through the passageways while paying attention to both the goods for sale and the flow of shoppers.

목포동부시장 안쪽에 상품을 진열한 점포들입니다. — Shops displaying goods inside Mokpo Dongbu Market. — Photo source: tonghabnews.com

How to Find Skate, Black Hairtail, Rice Cakes, and Mill Shops

The items listed by the market’s official website include fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, groceries, dried seafood, and health foods. A 2012 visitor’s introduction mentioned skate and black hairtail, connecting the market with Mokpo’s seafood-shopping tradition.

Other officially listed products include rice cakes and mill products, clothing, cosmetics, miscellaneous goods, various small items, and household goods. Rather than looking for only one signature food, this selection suits travelers who want to compare seafood, meat, and clothing in one market.

Overall Operating Hours and Closing Days Have Not Been Published

The integrated operating hours for all of Mokpo Dongbu Market could not be confirmed through the official website or publicly available Mokpo City materials. The market’s overall closing days were also not confirmed, and individual shops may have different hours. If you plan to visit a specific shop, it is safer to call 061-276-5787 in advance.

There is no admission fee for the market. However, individual product prices vary by shop, and publicly available materials did not confirm whether shops are cash-only, whether card payments are accepted, whether photography is prohibited, which areas restrict access, or whether English assistance and audio guides are available.

목포동부시장 점포 앞에 상품이 진열된 모습입니다. — Goods displayed in front of a shop at Mokpo Dongbu Market. — Photo source: tonghabnews.com

From Mokpo Station to Dongbu Market South Gate by City Bus

Mokpo City’s official introduction explains that Dongbu Market can be reached by Mokpo city buses. Route 2-2 has been confirmed as a route passing through Mokpo Station on the way to Dongbu Market, and Dongbu Market South Gate bus stop is listed as approximately 140 m from the market.

Routes 2-2, 200, 130, 300A, 50, 55, 300, 900, 500, 900A, 100A, 100, 1, 3, and 10 are listed as stopping at Dongbu Market South Gate. Since the exit number at the station and the exact walking time from the stop to the market interior could not be confirmed, a practical approach is to use Mokpo Station as a starting point and check the real-time stop direction in a bus app.

148-Space Paid Public Parking Lot and Mokpo’s Parking Enforcement

The Dongbu Market public parking lot has 148 spaces: 141 regular spaces, 6 accessible spaces, and 1 electric-vehicle space. The parking lot covers 2,243㎡ and is listed as having been completed in August 1996.

The parking lot is paid and listed as being operated through outsourcing and unmanned management, but a detailed hourly fee schedule could not be confirmed in publicly available materials. Mokpo City traffic enforcement officers operate from 08:00 to 22:00, with flexible operation depending on events and traffic conditions. Bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, intersection corners, sidewalks, and double yellow lines are enforcement zones, so do not park temporarily on the road in front of the market.

Current Operations Shaped by the 2008 Market Revitalization Project

The market’s official history records that market-related construction took place from August 2006 to May 2008, and that a research project on revitalizing Dongbu Market was completed in April 2008. From July 2008 to May 2009, 103 people graduated from the merchants’ college.

These records show that Dongbu Market is not simply a place where the number of shops increased, but a market that has strengthened its operating foundation through facility improvements and merchant education. The official website also states that plans include reinforcing fire-safety facilities and expanding a shared logistics storage warehouse, shared workshop, and CCTV coverage in vulnerable areas.

Saturday Concerts and the 2026 Dongbu Byeolbyeol Night Market

The market’s official website announces plans for spring merchants’ unity sports events, an autumn outing, and Saturday concerts for customers. However, the actual dates and current operating status of these plans cannot be confirmed solely through publicly available materials.

The 2026 Dongbu Byeolbyeol Night Market was held from June 20 to July 26, on Saturdays and Sundays from 18:00 to 21:00, on the first floor of the Dongbu Market parking lot. Its main features were performances, food stalls, a flea market, and prize events, and it was organized by the Mokpo Dongbu Market Culture and Tourism Development Project Group.

Restrictions First-Time Foreign Visitors Should Know

The recommended amount of time for visiting the entire market could not be confirmed through reliable publicly available materials. No information was found about a separate admission route or queues from a ticket office to a destination. If you are looking for a specific shop inside the market, it is advisable to note the shop name and product and call 061-276-5787 to ask for its location.

Information about wheelchair and stroller accessibility, ramps, stairs, and ground conditions could not be confirmed through official materials. Although records show that a public restroom was newly built in May 2005, its internal location and accessible facilities have not been published. Visitors should understand that this is a permanent market for purchasing goods, not a place like a museum with designated viewing areas.

Before You Go

Address: 15 Yeongsan-ro 257beon-gil, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (Yongdang-dong)
Closed: Could not confirm through the latest official page whether closing days vary by shop
Admission: No market admission fee. Individual product prices vary by shop
Phone: 061-276-5787
Official site: http://www.mokpodongbu.kr
Transport: Mokpo City’s official introduction states that Dongbu Market can be reached by Mokpo city buses. Route 2-2 passes through Dongbu Market, and Dongbu Market South Gate bus stop is listed as approximately 140 m away. Stop and route information may change, so reconfirm with the Mokpo City Transportation Information Center before visiting
Parking: Dongbu Market public parking lot: 148 spaces (141 regular, 6 accessible, 1 electric-vehicle), area 2,243㎡, paid (outsourced and unmanned)

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

Mokpo Dongbu Market traditional market opened in 1958 305 shops seafood shopping Dongbu Byeolbyeol Night Market

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