• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.192-207
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• 2024

This study aims to identify the mechanism of the dark side of social capital in traditional markets in rural areas and explain its impact on market members and commercial districts. As a result of qualitative analysis of interview data for merchants and visitors, the dark side of social capital in the traditional market appears in the form of exclusion, organized corruption, and in-group bonds. The dark side of social capital destroys trust and disconnects communication among the merchants and the members of merchant associations, which in turn changes the thoughts and behaviors of members and negatively affects the members and the commercial district. This study interprets the effects on the attitudes and behaviors of members through the framework of the dark side of social capital. It provides a new perspective on the impact of social capital on changes in rural areas, such as urban-to-rural migration and population decline, by attempting to interpret the attitudes and behaviors of members through the dark side of social capital.