Benchmarking Busan Market Practices for an Indonesian Vendor Empowerment Program

Abstract

Traditional markets in Indonesia continue to struggle with a rundown image and weakening competitiveness. This international community service (PkM) initiative aimed to identify the best practices used in managing Yong Ho Gol Mok Market in Busan, South Korea, with an eye toward what could realistically be adapted in Indonesia. The activity occurred during a UNISBA delegation visit to Tongmyong University for the INOBIST-3rd ICoBAC 2026 conference. The team relied on participatory observation, informal interviews, and visual documentation through a benchmarking approach. Five practices worth adapting were identified: hygienic product display, price transparency, visitor-friendly service, basic infrastructure support, and steady funding from local government. Based on these findings, the initiative outlined a contextual empowerment program for Indonesian vendors that covers training in product arrangement, price standardization, service improvement, and proposals for collaboration across stakeholders. This study is intended as an early reference point for future traditional market empowerment programs grounded in international benchmarking.