Seoul Metropolitan Government will open “Global Village,” a store selling fair trade products, in the basement of the new City Hall on Saturday, officials said.

The store will sell about 500 fair-trade-certified imports from developing countries, including coffee, chocolate, coconut, wine and fashion items.

Purchase of fair trade products directly benefits underprivileged farmers, fishers and workers in less-developed countries.

On the same day, the capital city will also open “Danuri,” a joint display and sales space for businesses run by those citizens in need.

Danuri is available to Seoul-based small businesses run by poor women or the physically disabled, social enterprises or start-ups operated by young people.

The space is already rented to 86 businesses producing about 400 kinds of miscellaneous and household items.

To maintain brand credibility of Danuri, Seoul City will continuously check product quality and provide marketing and promotion through the brand.

“We plan to include Global Village and Danuri in city tours in an effort to spur the purchase of fair trade products and items produced by less fortunate neighbors,” an official said.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)