Editor’s Note
This article highlights a community-focused initiative by the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) to support local merchants in Jinju’s traditional markets ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. By directly purchasing goods and engaging with vendors, KTL aims to provide economic stimulus and foster connection during a period of financial strain for many small businesses.
The Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) announced on the 11th that, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, it visited Jinju Jungang Market and Jinju Cheonggwa Market, which are facing difficulties due to rising prices, to purchase goods, communicate with merchants, and inject vitality into the traditional markets.
The event was attended by Kim Dae-sung, Chairman of KTL’s Social Value Operation Committee, and other executives and employees, along with Kim Dong-guk, Chairman of the Jinju Jungang Market Merchants Association, and Kim Young-joo, Chairman of the Jinju Cheonggwa Market Merchants Association.
KTL executives and employees visited various stores within the markets together with the merchant association chairmen. Using pre-purchased Onnuri gift certificates, they bought goods directly, communicated with merchants, and listened to the perceived economic conditions and on-site difficulties of the traditional markets ahead of the peak holiday season.
After the shopping event, they visited Jinju Food Market & Bank to deliver Lunar New Year greetings and the goods procured through the shopping event, sharing a warm time of giving.
Meanwhile, KTL has been making steady efforts to revitalize the local economy and traditional markets since relocating its headquarters to Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do in 2015 to implement the government’s balanced development policy.
Representative activities include: △Donations to social welfare facilities through employee fundraising △Revitalization of local commercial districts using Onnuri gift certificates △Traditional market shopping events △Purchase of holiday sharing gifts △Blood donation events.
KTL has visited traditional markets every holiday without fail since relocating its headquarters in 2015. The total number of visits is 22, with cumulative purchases reaching 1.3 billion won.
As a result of such regional coexistence and ESG management, KTL achieved accomplishments in 2025 including: △Selection as a socially contributing organization for 7 consecutive years (achieving S-grade) △Winning the 2025 Korea Public ESG Management Award △Receiving the Presidential Commendation for outstanding policy communication.