Busan’s representative traditional market that connects people and markets, Busan and the world Kukje Market
Located in the center of Jung-gu, Busan, Gukje Market is a representative traditional market in Busan. The history of the International Market began in 1945, when the Japanese used the current site as a marketplace to trade goods left behind by the Japanese after the liberation of Japan and goods brought by their compatriots abroad. The vacant lot, which was noisy with people, was first called the Dotegi Market, then the Free Market when a building was erected in 1948, and the International Market in 1950 when it began to handle goods from U.S. military units.
From the ’50s to the ’90s, it boomed with the sale of overseas goods, U.S. military supplies, imported contraband, electronics, and more, and it burned down five times, but each time, the international market survived and rebuilt itself. A place where, from the moment you were born, you had everything you needed to get through life. Today, more than 70 years later, it is one of Busan’s tourist attractions, along with Eokja Alley, Arirang Street, Youth Street, and Gukje Alley, and it is Busan’s international market that contains countless stories of Korea’s modern and contemporary history.
In 2017, a global complex cultural space (609 Youth Mall) centered on the 6th district was newly renovated, and it is striving to become a new turning point with young ideas. Several stores have opened on the second floor of Bldg. 6, adding to the liveliness of the market with cute and fun products and spaces that are a little different from the international market. From February 2018, a global cultural space centered on District 1 is also being prepared.
