Sejong City Selects "Han's Rice Cake Shop, Jokwang General Store, Yongamgol" as Rooted Stores

Certification Plaques Presented
in Appreciation of Unwavering Quality and Dedication

Lee Seungwon, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs (right), is presenting a certificate to a small business owner selected as a Rooted Store. / Photo by Small Business Administration

Certification plaques have been awarded to three newly selected "Rooted Stores" in Sejong this year.

According to Sejong City on August 13, the Sejong Rooted Store project aims to foster small businesses that have maintained local traditions and unique characteristics for over 20 years in township areas or over 10 years in urban districts, designating them as flagship stores of neighborhood commercial districts and utilizing them as key resources for local culture and tourism. This year's selected Rooted Stores are Han's Rice Cake Shop, Jokwang General Store, and Yongamgol.

Han's Rice Cake Shop, located in Bugang-myeon, is a rice cake specialty store that has continued its tradition for four generations. It produces healthy foods using agricultural products from Sejong City in a HACCP-certified facility, earning a reputation for honest and authentic flavors.

Jokwang General Store, situated in Jochiwon-eup, is a hardware store run by a master craftsman who has inherited the traditional art of making wooden A-frames for three generations. Visitors can observe and experience the entire handmade production process of these A-frames on-site.

Yongamgol, located in Yeonseo-myeon, is a charcoal-grilled pork rib restaurant known for its signature sauce made from 12 ingredients. The restaurant is popular for its well-prepared table settings and its panoramic view overlooking the Gobok Reservoir.

The city plans to nurture these Rooted Stores as leading local cultural and tourism assets through various forms of administrative and financial support, including special funding for small businesses, multi-faceted promotion such as the production of tourist maps and merchandise, and on-site consulting.

Lee Seungwon, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs, stated, "I presented the certification plaques with deep gratitude to these stores, which have become the pride of Sejong City through their unwavering quality and dedication over the decades," adding, "We will continue to foster the Sejong Rooted Stores as long-standing brands that revitalize local commercial districts and cultural tourism."