Ministry of the Interior and Safety–Kyochon F&B, Join Hands for Regional Co-Development

[Financial News]  


To help the Gyeongbuk region affected by large-scale wildfires, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Kyochon F&B are collaborating to revitalize the local economy.
The Ministry and Kyochon F&B held a 'Ministry of the Interior and Safety-Kyochon F&B Regional-Corporate Co-Development Agreement Ceremony' at 'Fermentation Workshop 1991' in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk on the 27th.
This agreement ceremony was prepared to support the economic recovery of five cities and counties in Gyeongbuk (Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang-gun, Yeongdeok) that suffered significant damage from wildfires, and to spread a co-development model between regions and corporations, in partnership with Kyochon F&B, widely known for the Kyochon Chicken brand.
In March to April this year, large wildfires continued in the Gyeongbuk region, resulting in 27 deaths and the loss of approximately 100,000 hectares of forest. 4,458 houses were burned, and over 210,000 livestock perished.
Gyeongbuk Province estimated agricultural and livestock losses of 172.6 billion won and 3,826 hectares of crop damage due to the wildfires.
Under this agreement, Kyochon F&B plans to mass purchase agricultural and livestock products from the five cities and counties in Gyeongbuk and launch specialized products using them.
Fermentation Workshop 1991, which has a history of over 100 years and was reborn as a manufacturing plant for makgeolli and sauces after closing due to management difficulties, with efforts from Yeongyang-gun and Kyochon F&B, plans to significantly increase the amount of gochujang and doenjang ingredients purchased from Gyeongbuk.
Ingredients for other Kyochon F&B menu items will also be replaced with Gyeongbuk agricultural and livestock products and used in the employee cafeteria.
Gyeongbuk agricultural and livestock products will be used in international events held in the region through Kyochon F&B.
Kyochon F&B will operate an Asian Food Festa booth at the '2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships' held in Gumi, Gyeongbuk from today until the 31st, offering a 'Love Fruit Sharing Event' to athletes, event officials, and local residents.
In addition, a K-Food Zone utilizing agricultural and livestock products from the five cities and counties in Gyeongbuk will be operated in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju this October to support local farmers and promote the excellence of Gyeongbuk agricultural and livestock products domestically and internationally.
This collaboration began immediately after the main fire of the Gyeongbuk wildfires was extinguished, when the Ministry of the Interior and Safety proposed support for the affected areas to Won Kang Kwon, Chairman of Kyochon F&B, who is originally from Daegu.
Chairman Kwon stated at the proposal meeting, "I will spare no possible support," leading to the swift promotion of the co-development collaboration.
Kyochon F&B is a local company that started in Gumi in 1991 and developed into a nationwide franchise.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety also plans to make various efforts to address the decline in visitors to the five cities and counties in Gyeongbuk and the slowdown in regional tourism, in addition to supporting the purchase of agricultural and livestock products.

ktitk@fnnews.com Tae Kyung Kim Reporter