Sunchang Market was formed around 1923 and operated through a barter system and has participated in other activities since the liberation of Korea from Japan. In 1965, the market acquired an official permit from the Jeonbuk State governor.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, the market accommodated about 5,000 residents per day and played a significant role in forming the local commercial district. Sunchang Market was the famous 5-day market in Korea as well as one of the Top 7 cow markets during its heyday. Hemp cloth, embroidery goods, persimmons, and cases were traded. However, the market gradually declined due to the decreasing population of farming villages since the 1970s. The old Sunchang traditional market facilities were changed to modern buildings from 2002 to 2010 to activate the traditional market once again. Booths, toilets, neighboring stores, and fish shops are in modern buildings. A parking lot was secured for the users’ convenience and the buses in the province are directly connected to the market. That way the senior citizens living in rural areas and having no cars can visit the market without any worries.

The market is favored as the place for purchasing a variety of daily necessities including sundry goods, hardware, fish, vegetables, chili peppers, soft bean curd, red beans, and noodles. The Korean Sausage Town, the local food with tradition, attracts gourmets from all over the country to Sunchang Market, who want to taste chewy Korean sausage and spicy and delicious Korean sausage soup with rice.