Yongin City Opens 'Joa-Yong Promotional Zone and Goods Shop' at City Hall

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Gi-ho] Yongin City officially opened and began operating the 'Joa-Yong Promotional Zone' on the 5th in an 82㎡ (25-pyeong) space opposite the general civil affairs consultation desk on the first floor of City Hall to activate its city character.

The zone features a 'Story Zone' that introduces Joa-Yong's birth and various transformations, a 'Joa-Yong Life Photo Booth' where visitors can take free sticker photos with Joa-Yong and Yongin City Points, a 'Photo Zone' for taking pictures with Joa-Yong, a 'Media Zone' showcasing Joa-Yong's 3D animation, a 'Goods Display Zone' featuring Joa-Yong collaboration products, and a 'Goods Shop' selling character merchandise.

In particular, the Goods Shop is the second offline sales space following the 'Joa-Yong in Store' opened in April 2022 at the Gireung Station Transfer Center on the Yongin Monorail.

Until now, purchasing Joa-Yong merchandise required transferring at the station or purchasing a separate ticket to enter Gireung Station to access the store, leading to numerous requests from citizens for a more accessible sales location.

The city responded by establishing both the promotional zone and goods shop in unused space within City Hall. This is the first time a local government has set up a city character promotional zone within its administrative building.

The Goods Shop sells 96 types of items including cushions, keychains, grip holders, mugs, tumblers, and eco bags. Operations including product sales and design are managed by the Yongin Community Self-Reliance Center, with sales proceeds supporting livelihood assistance for low-income residents.

The promotional zone and goods shop operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays and weekends.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony was attended by approximately 100 people including Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il, Yongin City Council Speaker Yu Jin-seon, Yongin Community Self-Reliance Center Director Kim Yang-hee, Samsung C&T; Everland representatives, Yongin City Council members, and citizens.

The city also held a Yongin City SNS subscription event for citizens participating in the opening ceremony, giving away Joa-Yong balloons and four limited-edition Joa-Yong posters.

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "We converted a former small shop into a Joa-Yong promotional zone and merchandise sales space. Joa-Yong not only plays a role in widely promoting our city but also receives great affection from citizens. We hope this space will help Joa-Yong receive even more love and become more widely known."