Size of 10 Soccer Fields... Rocket Fresh Expansion Foothold
Contributing to Local Economy Revitalization with 180 Billion Won Investment
3 Trillion Won Investment for Logistics Expansion by 2026
Coupang held a completion ceremony for the Namdaejeon Fresh Fulfillment Center (FC) and officially began operations. The center plans to directly employ about 1,300 new workers, prioritizing local residents to contribute to the revitalization of the regional economy.
On the 24th, Coupang announced that it would hold the 'Namdaejeon Fresh Fulfillment Center Completion Ceremony' in the Namdaejeon Logistics Industrial Complex, Dong-gu, Daejeon, attended by Yoo Deuk-won, Deputy Mayor of Daejeon, and Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang. About 100 people, including Jo Won-hwi, Chairman of the Daejeon City Council, Park Hee-jo, Mayor of Dong-gu, Daejeon, and Oh Gwan-young, Chairman of the Dong-gu Council, Daejeon, attended the event.
The newly completed Namdaejeon Fresh Fulfillment Center has a total floor area of over 88,000㎡, roughly the size of 10 soccer fields. The total investment is about 180 billion KRW, with an expected direct employment of about 1,300 people. This center is expected to play a key role in expanding Coupang's fresh food dawn delivery service, Rocket Fresh.
Coupang plans to directly employ about 1,300 people, increasing by about 1,000 from the initially projected 300 at the time of the initial investment agreement. According to Statistics Korea, the youth employment rate in Dong-gu, one of the five districts in Daejeon, recorded 40.7% in the first half of this year. Coupang intends to prioritize direct employment of local residents, including those from Dong-gu, Daejeon, to contribute to the revitalization of the regional economy. Among Coupang's total workforce, more than 20,000 are young employees.
Furthermore, Coupang explains that the Namdaejeon Fresh Fulfillment Center will create a synergy effect by reducing logistics costs for small and medium manufacturers and local farms in Daejeon and the Chungcheong region, while expanding nationwide sales channels for fresh food. It will serve as a foothold for increasing direct purchases of fresh food and specialty products made by local farmers and fishermen, and for expanding their sales channels through fast nationwide delivery.
Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang, said, "Thanks to the tireless efforts of various stakeholders, including the Daejeon city government, the completion of the FC, which is an important milestone for revitalizing the local economy, was made possible. We expect various aspects of regional economic revitalization effects through prioritizing employment of Daejeon citizens, and we will continue our efforts to become a stepping stone for the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized merchants in Daejeon and enhancing corporate competitiveness, contributing to the economic development of Daejeon."
Yoo Deuk-won, Deputy Mayor of Daejeon, said, "With the completion of this Fresh Fulfillment Center, Coupang will grow together with the local community and act as a foundation and driving force for revitalizing the Daejeon economy. We will actively cooperate in various ways, including creating jobs for local residents."
Starting with the completion of the Namdaejeon Fresh Fulfillment Center, Coupang plans to invest about 3 trillion KRW by 2026 to expand its logistics infrastructure. Coupang will establish additional logistics infrastructure in nine regions nationwide, including Daejeon, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Gimcheon City in Gyeongbuk Province, directly employing more than 10,000 people.
If the plan is realized, the total direct employment of logistics and delivery subsidiaries (Coupang Fulfillment Service and Coupang Logistics Service), including Coupang, will increase to about 80,000 people. Among them, it is expected that more than 80% will work outside the Seoul area.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
