'The Miracle of 1,000 Won'... Gyeonggi Province Hosts 'University Student 1,000 Won Store' Popup Event at Pyeongtaek University

On October 1, Gyeonggi Province held the "University Student 1,000 Won Store" popup event at Pyeongtaek University.

The University Student 1,000 Won Store is the nation’s first initiative jointly operated by the public sector, private organizations, and academia. It sells four bundled sets of items-including food such as cup rice and cup noodles, as well as daily necessities like cleansing foam and shampoo-to enrolled students for 1,000 won, which is about 90% less than the market price. This new social innovation model aims to ease the cost-of-living burden on young people during this era of high inflation.

A popup event refers to a temporary event space or store that operates for a limited period.

On this day, Goh Youngin, Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province for Economic Affairs, participated as a clerk for the day, directly engaging with students at a popup truck set up on the outdoor lawn, rather than at the usual indoor 1,000 Won Store location. Key figures such as Kim Jaegyun, Gyeonggi Provincial Assemblyman, Lee Donghyun, President of Pyeongtaek University, and Kim Seongrok, Head of the Gyeonggi Headquarters of NH Nonghyup Bank, were also in attendance.

Before the event, Vice Governor Goh delivered a special lecture at the Pyeongtaek University 90th Anniversary Memorial Hall on the topic, "A Country Not Afraid of Failure."

Vice Governor Goh stated, "The 1,000 Won Store is a field of Gyeonggi-style social innovation where young people participate not just as beneficiaries but as active agents," and added, "By connecting private sector sharing, university spaces, and the energy of student self-governance, we will lighten living expenses and greatly expand possibilities."

The University Student 1,000 Won Store project first launched at Gachon University and Pyeongtaek University on September 3.

Goh Youngin, Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province for Economic Affairs (second from right), attended the "University Student 1,000 Won Store Popup Event" at Pyeongtaek University on the 1st and sold products as a clerk for the day. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

Currently, Gachon University operates the store twice a week, while Pyeongtaek University operates it three times a week. As of the end of September, the cumulative number of student users at both universities combined has reached about 5,500, and Gyeonggi Province expects that more than 17,000 students will have used the service by the end of the year.

The 1,000 Won Store is also significant as the first outcome of the "Social Innovation Platform" that Gyeonggi Province has operated since March this year. The Social Innovation Platform is a "resident participation policy model" designed to solve various social issues-such as demographic changes, care challenges, and regional revitalization-through creative and innovative approaches.

When residents, social economy organizations, or companies seeking ESG cooperation propose social innovation ideas, the province develops these into policies and projects, and evaluates the social value and outcomes of the initiatives.

Gyeonggi Province plans to expand this platform-based policy model that encourages resident participation to solve various social problems, and to broaden partnerships with businesses and local communities to create greater social value.