Gyeonggi Province Opens Nation's First 'One-Thousand-Won Student Convenience Store'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] To substantially reduce the burden of living expenses on university students increased by high inflation, Gyeonggi Province opened the nation's first ‘One-Thousand-Won Student Convenience Store’ at Gachon University in Seongnam and Pyeongtaek University on the 3rd.

The opening ceremony at Gachon University was attended by Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Gachon University President Lee Gil-yeo, NH Nonghyup Bank Gyeonggi Headquarters Director Kim Seong-rok, and Gachon University Student Representative Kim Min-seong.

The one-thousand-won student convenience store is funded by donations from NH Nonghyup Bank's Gyeonggi Headquarters, directly operated by student autonomous organizations, and supported administratively by Gyeonggi Province, attracting attention as a new public-private-academic partnership model to support youth.

The convenience store carries approximately 30 items of food and daily necessities, selected through student preference surveys, including instant rice, canned tuna, cup noodles, shampoo, and cleansing foam. After student verification, four items can be purchased as a ‘bundle’ for one thousand won, and the price is more than 90 percent cheaper than market rates, with expectations for significant savings in students' living expenses at month-end and semester start.

Governor Kim participated as a one-day clerk, wearing a clerk's vest, and communicated with students.

Following his participation as a one-day clerk, Governor Kim prepared and enjoyed various dishes using convenience store products such as cup noodles and dumplings in recipes popular with university students, spending time communicating with the students.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated, “Other provinces are actually contacting us wanting to benchmark this model. It will spread nationwide, and I have no intention of limiting it to Gyeonggi residents. Since it’s a good system, I hope it spreads across the nation” and urged, “I especially hope young students will pay attention to climate issues, voice their concerns, and take action.”

The one-thousand-won convenience store project is the first result of the ‘Social Innovation Platform’ operated by Gyeonggi Province since March this year, a policy promotion model that addresses various social issues including climate and care based on resident participation and collaboration. Starting with the one-thousand-won convenience store, Gyeonggi Province plans to accumulate platform-based policy achievements and expand partnerships with businesses and local communities to continue creating social value.