Seoul Metro and Chungju City Join Hands for Regional Cooperation

Signing of a Business Agreement to Overcome Regional Extinction Risks and Realize Urban-Rural Win-Win Cooperation
Collaboration on Establishing a Direct Transaction Space for Agricultural and Fishery Specialties of Chungju City within the Station (S-Metro Local Market) and Producing Promotional Videos
Along with the Business Agreement, Themed Events to Secure Sales Channels for Young Producers Migrating from Rural Areas... Exploring the Role of the Corporation for Regional Coexistence and Promoting the Value of ‘Companionship and Charm Special City Seoul’

Seoul Metro (President Baek Ho) and Chungju City signed a business agreement on the 7th to overcome the crisis of regional extinction and realize urban-rural coexistence.

Seoul Metro will cooperate in providing a direct transaction space for agricultural and marine specialty products, and Chungju City will support the promotion of the direct transaction market brand “S-Metrocal Market,” which utilizes vacant subway stores of the corporation through the distribution of high-quality agricultural and marine specialty products.

This business agreement started with Chungju City's participation in the “S-Metrocal Market” in June. The “S-Metrocal Market” is gaining attention amid public support for the accessibility of regional agricultural and marine specialty products at conveniently located subway stations and social consensus on the crisis of regional extinction. Chungju City is considering leasing permanent stores within Seoul subway stations based on its abundant seasonal agricultural and marine specialty products and experience in operating its own direct transaction brand.

Following the signing ceremony, the corporation opened the youth-themed S-Metrocal Market event “Regional Coexistence, Youth Accompaniment” (hereinafter referred to as the theme event). The theme event will run for five days from October 7 to October 11, featuring voices of youth addressing the crisis and overcoming regional extinction from Chungju City (Youth Farmer Marketing Group), Cheongdo County (Self-sustaining Nursery Community “Playing Moms”), and others.

Participating youths will introduce products created by youth local creators’ ideas added to regional specialties, such as pet snacks made with Cheongdo Bansi persimmons and water dropwort mojitos, during the week-long theme event.

Additionally, stories of young people who have returned to or migrated to farming and rural areas in population-declining regions, as well as various contents such as local tourism resources, are expected to be featured.

President Baek Ho stated, “Starting with the business agreement with Chungju City, the corporation will further contemplate its social contributions for regional coexistence and strive to spread the value of ‘Accompaniment and Charm Special City Seoul.’”