On September 3, Governor Kim Dongyeon of Gyeonggi Province served as a one-day clerk at the "1,000 Won Store" on a university campus, engaging in open and candid conversations with university students.
After attending the opening ceremony of the 1,000 Won Store at Gachon University that day, Governor Kim participated as a one-day clerk, sharing store food with students and discussing a wide range of topics, including the climate crisis.
The university 1,000 Won Store is operated directly by a student self-governing body, funded by donations from the Gyeonggi Headquarters of NH Nonghyup Bank, with administrative support from Gyeonggi Province. It is drawing attention as a new public-private-academic cooperation model to support young people.
The 1,000 Won Store offers around 30 items, including ready-to-eat rice, canned tuna, cup noodles, and daily necessities such as shampoo and cleansing foam, all selected based on student preference surveys. After verifying their student status, students can purchase a "bundle" of four items for 1,000 won. As prices are more than 90% lower than market rates, the store is expected to significantly help students reduce their living expenses at the end of each month and the start of each semester.
Governor Kim wore a clerk's vest and participated as a one-day clerk at the 1,000 Won Store, engaging directly with students.
Following his participation as a clerk, Governor Kim also spent time with students preparing and enjoying various dishes using store products such as cup noodles and dumplings, following recipes popular among university students.
Gyeonggi Province opened a 1,000 Won Store at Gachon University in Seongnam City on the 3rd. Governor Kim Dongyeon of Gyeonggi Province (center) is taking a commemorative photo with Lee Gilyeo, President of Gachon University (second from right), Kim Seongrok, Head of NH Nonghyup Bank Gyeonggi Headquarters, and Kang Gitae, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Social Welfare Council. Provided by Gyeonggi Province
When a student commented, "I was deeply impressed to read about Gyeonggi Province's RE100 initiative in response to environmental and climate crises," Governor Kim replied, "In fact, I just attended a climate meeting at Naver this morning," and went on to introduce Gyeonggi Province's climate crisis response efforts.
He stated, "Gyeonggi Province is the most proactive in responding to the climate crisis and ESG," and added, "We encourage residents to install the 'Climate Action Opportunity Income' app, which rewards points for walking or using public transportation. We also hold a 'Climate Citizens' Assembly,' where residents can participate in meetings to directly share their ideas for addressing the climate crisis. I hope many people will take an interest and participate."
He further emphasized, "Many other cities and provinces are reaching out to benchmark our initiatives. Since this is such a good system, I want it to spread nationwide. I especially hope that young students will take a keen interest in climate issues, raise their voices, and take action."
The 1,000 Won Store is the first achievement of the "Social Innovation Platform," which Gyeonggi Province has been operating since March this year. This policy model aims to solve various social issues, such as climate and care, through resident participation and collaboration.
Starting with the 1,000 Won Store, Gyeonggi Province plans to continue accumulating results from platform-based policies and to expand partnerships with businesses and local communities to continuously create social value.
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