J.O Food Overcomes Wildfire, to Invest 8.7 Billion KRW in New Food Manufacturing Plant in Andong... 10 New Jobs Created

Gyeongbuk Province and Andong City Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Gyeongbuk Province and Andong City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with J.O Food Co., Ltd. on July 3 at the Cheongbaek Room of Andong City Hall for the establishment of a new meat and food manufacturing plant with a total investment of 8.7 billion KRW.

J.O Food Co., Ltd., established in 2014, is a food company that has continued its business of processing Korean beef by-products (such as beef intestines and abomasum) through its own brands, including Andong Gopchang, Eulyongi Gopchang, Sogopnyeo, and Bareun Gopchang. However, earlier this year, a large wildfire completely destroyed its existing facility located in Iljik-myeon, Andong City.

Gyeongbuk Province, Andong City, and J.O Food signed a memorandum of understanding for investment, and related staff are taking a commemorative photo.

Despite these difficulties, J.O Food Co., Ltd. plans to build a new meat and food manufacturing plant on a 5,144-square-meter site within the Gyeongbuk Bio Second Industrial Complex, expanding its operations beyond the previous scale. The company intends to invest a total of 8.7 billion KRW between 2025 and 2026 and create approximately 10 new jobs. The signing of this MOU serves as a symbol of recovery, overcoming the damage caused by the wildfire.

This renewed effort is part of Gyeongbuk Province's "Jeonhwauibok Project" (Turning Crisis into Opportunity), which is being promoted to help overcome wildfire damage and supports the recovery and resurgence of affected businesses.

Previously, on May 2, Gyeongbuk Province held an on-site "Jeonhwauibok Bus" meeting at the Namhu Agro-Industrial Complex in Andong, presided over by Governor Lee Cheolwoo. During the meeting, the province communicated directly with affected companies and discussed practical recovery measures, including disaster waste disposal, financial support, emergency jobs, and the creation of a smart industrial complex.

Jeon Hyunjun, CEO of J.O Food, stated, "Thanks to the active support of Gyeongbuk Province and Andong City, I am very pleased to be able to settle in Andong once again. Through the establishment of this new plant, I will do my best to create jobs in Andong City and contribute to the development of the meat and food industry in the Gyeongbuk region."

Lee Nameok, Head of the Airport Investment Headquarters of Gyeongbuk Province, said, "We are grateful to J.O Food Co., Ltd. for overcoming the difficulties caused by the wildfire and deciding to invest in Andong again. We hope this investment will greatly contribute to revitalizing the local food industry and creating jobs." He added, "Gyeongbuk Province will continue to do its best to create an environment where companies can invest with confidence and to contribute to revitalizing the local economy."