Cost to prepare food for Chuseok rises 6.5 percent

A person shops for groceries at a traditional market in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul Thursday. [NEWS1]

The cost to prepare food for Chuseok rose 6.5 percent this year, according to Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on Thursday.

The average cost reached 317,142 won ($234.13) based on the data collected on Aug. 31. Purchasing food at traditional markets was 25 percent cheaper at 271,932 won, compared to discount marts.

“The government is coming up with measures such as giving out more discount vouchers to purchase agro and livestock products [to resolve the high cost],” said a spokesperson for aT.

The Chuseok holiday in Korea begins on Sept. 9 and runs through Sept.12 this year.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]