South Korea’s traditional markets go high-tech

SEOUL: Seoul’s traditional markets—bustling, narrow streets of small vendors selling cheap, fresh produce—have largely opted out of the high-tech charge to make the South Korean capital one of the most wired cities on earth.

But squeezed by big-box stores and dwindling custom, these mom-and-pop operations are slowly going digital, replacing well-thumbed ledgers with tablet computers, and cash pouches with sleek smartphones that can scan credit cards.