Tongdaemun Market

market, Seoul, South Korea

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Tongdaemun Market is a large market in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the country's oldest and most traditional shopping areas, with a history dating back to the Joseon dynasty. The market is known for its vast array of goods, including clothing, accessories, textiles, and household items. It operates both during the day and at night, with many sections remaining open until the early morning hours. Tongdaemun Market is a significant hub for wholesale and retail trade, attracting both local shoppers and tourists.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Daegu
Seoul

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Seoul
Finance and other services
…shopping areas are the extensive Dongdaemun Market and the smaller Namdaemun Market, located near the downtown of the North City. Comprising numerous individually owned shops, these markets serve not only Seoul but the entire country. There are also large department stores and shopping centers in Gangnam, the downtown South City…
Read More
…shopping areas are the extensive Dongdaemun Market and the smaller Namdaemun Market, located near the downtown of the North City. Comprising numerous individually owned shops, these markets serve not only Seoul but the entire country. There are also large department stores and shopping centers in Gangnam, the downtown South City…
Read More