'Seongdong Mirae Iljari Co., Ltd.' Rapid Growth: Employees Increase from 40 to 235 in 8 Years Since Establishment

Employee Count Grows Over Fivefold in Eight Years Since 2017 Establishment Through Public-Private Joint Investment
Operating 21 Projects Across Four Sectors...
Creating Sustainable Quality Jobs for Seniors in the Super-Aged Era
Recognized as a Leading Model for Job Projects Securing Both Profitability and Public Interest

Seoul Forest Cafe operated by Mirae Iljae Co., Ltd.

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) established the 'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' through investment, which has been continuously growing by achieving both profitability and the creation of sustainable quality jobs.

At the end of last December, South Korea's elderly population aged 65 and over exceeded 20% of the total population, entering a super-aged society faster than initially expected. Along with this, social issues such as elderly poverty, increased social security burdens, and labor force decline have emerged. In response, the district established the 'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' in 2017 to proactively address social problems in the super-aged era and create jobs for seniors preparing for life after retirement.

The district focused on creating sustainable quality jobs and, after much consideration, chose a public-private joint investment method that allows various profitable businesses while maintaining a public character. The district invests 70% of the capital, and 30% is raised through public offerings involving local residents and corporations.

Now in its 8th year since establishment, the 'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' has continuously expanded its business areas and profit-generating projects. Despite difficulties caused by factors such as COVID-19, the number of jobs has steadily increased.

Currently, it operates 21 projects across four sectors, including eight self-operated business sites such as five cafes in Seoul Forest, snack bars, and rest area kiosks in Yongbi Shelter, as well as various service projects like neighborhood environment guardians, child traffic safety guardians, park facility management, and administrative consignment tasks. The number of employees has grown more than fivefold from about 40 at the time of establishment to 235, including seniors and women with career experience. The cumulative number of hires has reached 602.

The 'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' also pays special attention to providing jobs for vulnerable employment groups, not just seniors. Women who have worked in care labor such as childbirth and childcare are given preferential hiring as 'career-experienced women,' and 5.3% of regular employees are persons with disabilities (compared to the mandatory employment rates of 3.8% for public and 3.1% for private sectors as of 2024).

Additionally, employment is guaranteed up to age 70 for those in good health. Employees working 15 hours or more receive benefits from the four major social insurances, while those working less than 15 hours are covered by employment and industrial accident insurance, creating stable working conditions. Benefits such as holiday gift certificates and work uniform support are also provided to improve employee welfare.

Furthermore, the corporation applies the Seongdong-gu living wage (11,779 KRW per hour), which is higher than the minimum wage (10,030 KRW), and offers flexible and adaptable work schedules such as part-time and alternate-day shifts.

These factors have increased employee job satisfaction, with 40% (94 people) of employees having worked for more than three years, 20% (46 people) for more than five years, and 10% (63 people) of total hires retiring upon reaching the retirement age of 70 while still employed.

The 'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' continues to discover new businesses and self-generated profit sites, using surplus profits from additional earnings to establish a foundation for job creation, thereby maintaining a virtuous cycle of job regeneration. It also practices social return through support for essential workers and donations to local organizations.

These efforts have been highly recognized externally, winning the top prize in the job creation and employment improvement category at the 2020 National Basic Local Government Manifesto Best Practice Competition, becoming a benchmarking target for other local governments, overseas cities, institutions, and organizations.

Also, as an investment institution of a local government and a stock company under commercial law, it is evaluated as a pioneering model of job projects that secure both profitability and public interest. It was the first to be designated as an Elder-Friendly Company by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2018 and has maintained its qualification by winning the grand prize in the Elder-Friendly Company category. To maintain this qualification, companies must meet criteria such as annual sales exceeding 500 million KRW, employing at least five elderly workers, and hiring a certain number of elderly workers annually.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' plays a pivotal role in providing customized jobs for seniors and vulnerable employment groups beyond profit generation, leading regional development through social contribution and return. We will continue to strive to ensure that 'Seongdong Future Job Corporation' coexists with the community and achieves healthy growth, while actively working to discover sustainable quality jobs."