Limitations of the Support System for Legal Commercial Districts and the Direction of Change in Policy for Local Commercial Districts : Based on a Korea-Japan Comparison

This study aims to examine the status and functions of the statutory commercial district system, established under the Traditional Market Promotion Act, within the context of Local commercial district support policies. It also seeks to identify the legal and policy-related challenges surrounding the system and propose directions for future improvement. The analysis is grounded in empirical data and policy cases, focusing on issues such as the declining industrial status of traditional markets, changes in the distribution market structure, shifting consumer perceptions, overlaps and inconsistencies among relevant laws, and the adverse effects of excessive support concentrated on statutory commercial districts. In particular, the study draws comparative insights from Japan’s Central City Revitalization Policy and private sector-led commercial district management models, in order to suggest a new paradigm for Local commercial district support. Ultimately, the paper emphasizes the need for a policy and institutional shift from “special support focused on statutory commercial districts” toward a “universal support system for all commercial districts.”