SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government is passing an ordinance that bans food trucks owned by franchise companies from entering publicly run events in the city, in a move to help small and medium independent businesses.

As the city’s committee came to an agreement on Wednesday, the ordinance will take effect sometime next month, according to officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday.

Seoul’s latest move comes as the local government has decided to improve its efforts to respect the original intention of the law introduced in 2014 to help create jobs for young people and marginalized members of society through food truck businesses, amid a growing number of franchise food trucks that have been depriving independent businesses of opportunities.

With the new ordinance in force, including the famous Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market, franchise food trucks will not be permitted to enter events and festivals held by public organizations in public and state-owned spaces.

Amid the overwhelming number of franchise chain stores in the country, Seoul’s move to lend support by curbing competition for small and independent food truck business owners is seen as part of efforts to address increasing calls to protect private businesses in recent years.

In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to develop areas for private food truck owners where profits on a regular basis will be guaranteed, including Namsan and 19 other new areas, while operating a pool of food trucks in order to create more business opportunities.

Currently, over 100 trucks are being used for those who didn’t have access to information with regard to festivals and events in the city so as to give individuals a fair chance to take part and succeed.

Along with the rising popularity of food trucks in recent years, an increasing number of events and festivals involving them are being held in South Korea.

Sejong City is currently taking applications for its three-day-long food truck event in October, which will see over 100 kinds of food and busking performances attract visitors from across the country.

In July, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held Foodtruck100, a food truck-themed event consisting of 25 well-received trucks from the Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market, and another 25 new trucks.

Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)