South Chungcheong Governor Park Soo-hyun Becomes ‘First Customer’ at 7 a.m., Launches Project to Boost Small Businesses’ Morale

[Financial News, Hongseong = Kim Won-jun] South Chungcheong Governor Park Soo-hyun has launched a “first-customer purchase” project, visiting local small businesses in person, buying something as their first customer and showing his support. The initiative aims to revitalize local commercial districts, which are struggling amid high prices, high interest rates and a slowdown in consumer spending.
Governor Park visited Sebbang, a bakery café in Nonsan’s Yeonsan Traditional Market, at 7 a.m. on the 2nd for the first event in the “Small Business Morale-Boosting Project: Park Soo-hyun Applauds You.” At the youth-run shop, he personally bought bread, cookies and other items. He then spoke with owner Yoon about business conditions and the state of Yeonsan Traditional Market, listening to the challenges of running the business. Sebbang was opened by Yoon in January.
The project was launched to strengthen the ninth popularly elected administration’s communication-focused governance and put its commitment to restoring the local economy and livelihoods into practice. It also aims to help small business owners overcome crises, strengthen their foundations for self-reliance and boost their morale. Chungnam plans to continue the project from this month in conjunction with initiatives such as Chungnam Tonghaeng, which involves visiting cities and counties to communicate directly with residents. It will identify participants primarily among traditional markets, one-person businesses run by young people and women, and small business owners working to overcome crises or restart their businesses. The project will involve Governor Park visiting shops as their first customer, making the first purchase and listening to the challenges they face.
At his inauguration on July 1, Governor Park presented “A Chungnam that Communicates, Together with Its Residents” as his vision for provincial administration and set out key priorities including support for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, and the development of AI-centered future industries. The project is a concrete step toward putting the communication-focused approach he has emphasized since taking office into practice in small businesses’ own communities.
A Chungnam official said, “Many small business owners are currently facing considerable difficulties as high prices and high interest rates are compounded by a slowdown in consumer spending,” adding, “We expect this project to help foster an atmosphere that encourages people to patronize small businesses across the province through ongoing supportive visits and purchases.”
Meanwhile, Chungnam has carried out recovery-support programs this year for small business owners facing business difficulties. It has also provided broad support for social insurance premiums, employment insurance for self-employed people working alone, Yellow Umbrella Mutual Aid Fund membership incentives and fire insurance premiums, strengthening the safety net for local commercial districts. Going forward, it plans to make use of the facilities at Sodam Square Chungnam, scheduled to open this month, and offer training in stages.
Next year, Chungnam plans to pursue initiatives in three areas: “business stability,” including recovery support for small business owners facing business difficulties, a win-win delivery app and funding support; “building a safety net,” including Yellow Umbrella Mutual Aid Fund membership incentives, support for social insurance premiums and for employment and fire insurance premiums for self-employed people working alone, and crime-prevention supplies; and “structural improvement,” including support for AI adoption and the operation of Sodam Square Chungnam.
[email protected] Kim Won-jun Reporter