Tongil Market

Tongil Market
LocationPyongyang, North Korea
Coordinates38°58′52.42″N 125°43′58.83″E / 38.9812278°N 125.7330083°E / 38.9812278; 125.7330083[1]
AddressTongil Street
Opening date1 September 2003 (2003-09-01)
EnvironmentIndoor market
Goods soldAgriculture produce, fish, food, clothes, appliances
Number of tenants2,200
Total retail floor area6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft)
ParkingFor cars and bikes
Unification Market
Chosŏn'gŭl
통일시장
Hancha
統一市場
Revised RomanizationTongil sijang
McCune–ReischauerT'ongil sijang

The Tongil Market (Korean통일시장; MRT'ongil sijang), or Unification Market, is a marketplace in Pyongyang, North Korea. It is the largest and best-known marketplace in the city. The two-story indoor market houses some 2,200 vendors selling agriculture produce, fish, food, clothes, and appliances – including luxury and counterfeit products. There are services such as foreign exchange and food courts in each three sections that comprise the marketplace. The market was opened in 2003 when North Korean leader Kim Jong-il ordered farmers' markets should be consolidated into larger units.

Unlike most other markets in the country, the Tongil Market is clearly visible from the street, and is also accessible by tourists. In addition to tourists, the market caters to the elites of Pyongyang, as prices of certain items are high. An unofficial market has existed just next to it.

  1. ^ North Korea Uncovered (KMZ) (Google Earth). Version 18. North Korean Economy Watch. 25 June 2009.