Cheongsong County Sweeps 'Korea Representative Brand Awards' This Year

'Cheongsong Apple' Wins Grand Prize for 13 Consecutive Years as Korea's Most Beloved Fruit
'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County' Wins Grand Prize for 6 Consecutive Years, Enhancing the Value of Coexistence Between Nature and People

Cheongsong County in North Gyeongsang Province announced that at the '2025 Korea Representative Brand Awards Ceremony' held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on the 16th, its apple brand 'Cheongsong Apple' received the grand prize for the 13th consecutive year in the apple brand category, and its city brand 'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County' won the grand prize for the 6th consecutive year in the city brand category.

Cheongsong Apple, recipient of the grand prize in the apple brand category. Provided by Cheongsong County

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the 'Korea Representative Brand Awards' is a prestigious brand awards event that objectively evaluates brand competitiveness through fair and rigorous brand preference surveys targeting consumers.

In the apple brand category, apples from a total of eight local governments, including Cheongsong Apple, were nominated. According to the consumer survey results, 'Cheongsong Apple' received the highest ratings in all criteria, including initial awareness, aided awareness, differentiation, reliability, leadership, quality, and loyalty, thus winning the grand prize.

Cheongsong County cited the continuous efforts of Cheongsong Apple growers and the county’s dedication to superior quality management and active brand promotion as the secrets behind 'Cheongsong Apple' winning the grand prize for 13 consecutive years.

In particular, Cheongsong County has established the 'Golden Apple Research Complex' to promote research activities for high-quality Cheongsong Apples, including disease-free seedling research, building a supply base for high-quality rootstocks and seedlings, operating demonstration test fields for early harvesting technology research, standardizing cultivation types, and collecting data for the creation of future apple orchards.

Additionally, the county is diversifying its distribution channels through large-scale tasting and promotional events at major city supermarkets, supporting direct delivery shipping costs, live commerce sales support, and introducing an online auction system at agricultural product markets.

In the city brand category, 'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County' solidified its status as a leading city brand by winning the grand prize for the 6th consecutive year. 'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County' is a nature-themed city brand that offers daily life and relaxation in Cheongsong County’s pristine natural environment. Competing with seven other local governments, Cheongsong County received high marks from consumers thanks to its eco-friendly policies and urban environment improvement projects aimed at increasing resident satisfaction.

Notably, the 'Free Rural Bus Service,' first implemented nationwide in Cheongsong County in 2023, allows anyone visiting Cheongsong County to use buses free of charge, helping to reduce vehicle traffic and maintain clean air.

Furthermore, through the 'Rural Agreement' aimed at restoring rural identity, the county is working to improve quality of life for residents by promoting various projects such as revitalizing Jinbo-myeon’s rural center, establishing basic living hubs in Bunam, Hyeondong, Hyeonseo, and Andeok-myeon, and strengthening local capacity in the Juwangsan and Pacheon-myeon regions.

County Governor Yoon Kyunghee stated, "The fact that 'Cheongsong Apple' and 'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County' have won the grand prize for 13 and 6 consecutive years, respectively, is thanks to the consumers who seek out Cheongsong Apple every year, as well as the residents and tourists who understand and practice the city brand philosophy of 'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County.' We will continue to reward consumers' love through ongoing cultivation innovation and quality management of 'Cheongsong Apple,' and implement diverse policies to enhance the brand value of 'Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong County,' making Cheongsong a place that attracts even more visitors."