Youth Night Market's Latest Changes Spark Concern; Management Committee Pledges to Study Relocation Plans

(CNA, reporter Lin Chia-lien, Kaohsiung, July 2) Kaohsiung City's Youth Night Market has undergone multiple relocations in the past. Recently, due to road construction for the relocation of Dalingpu village, some peripheral vendors are again facing changes, causing them concern. The Economic Development Bureau stated that the management committee has pledged to study relocation plans to protect the vendors' rights.

The Youth Night Market has experienced several relocations and recently faced another adjustment. Over a hundred vendors in the peripheral area are worried about insufficient preparation time, which could impact their operations and income. In response to the vendors' petitions, KMT Kaohsiung City Councilor Chung Yi-chung convened a coordination meeting on July 1 with relevant city government departments and vendor representatives, urging the city government to provide comprehensive support to prevent the livelihoods of grassroots vendors from being harmed.

The Kaohsiung City Economic Development Bureau stated today that after understanding the situation with the Youth Night Market Management Committee, there are currently no plans for the night market to relocate. The over 200 vendors in the inner area are unaffected, with only the temporary peripheral vendors impacted by public construction. The management committee has pledged to study relocation plans, and the Economic Development Bureau will continue to communicate with vendors and the management committee to help protect the rights of all vendors.

Chung Yi-chung said that the Youth Night Market is an important night market brand in Fongshan, and peripheral vendors constitute about one-third of its overall scale. These peripheral vendors recently received sudden relocation notices, facing immense pressure. If not handled properly, not only could vendors' livelihoods face a gap, but the night market's overall attractiveness and commercial scale could also be weakened.

Chung Yi-chung expressed hope that the Kaohsiung City Public Works Department would re-examine the construction sequence and consider a phased construction approach from south to north, moderately postponing the road construction schedule around the Youth Night Market to allow more time for relocation preparations and to promptly inform vendors of the specific timeline.

Furthermore, the Economic Development Bureau, Urban Development Bureau, the night market management committee, and the landowner Taiwan Sugar Corporation should promptly present temporary and permanent relocation plans for the affected vendors, including new business locations, relocation timelines, and related supporting measures, so that vendors can operate and relocate with peace of mind. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150702

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