Gimcheon’s Chosen Cheese Leader, Johung GF Named Top Local Company

A Leading Local Food Company
Combining Technology, Mutual Growth, and Employee Welfare

Gimcheon City has once again confirmed the growth potential of the local food industry by selecting Johung GF Co., Ltd. (CEO Ham Youngje) as the “Top Local Company” for 2025. On November 25, the city held an official recognition ceremony at the Gimcheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, formally acknowledging the company’s achievements and its contributions to the local economy.

Baek Nakho, Mayor of Gimcheon (seventh from the left), is taking a commemorative photo with Ham Youngje, CEO of Johung GF Co., Ltd., which was selected as a top local company in 2025, and related personnel.

Since moving into the Gimcheon 1-ilban Industrial Complex (Phase 2) in 2016, Johung GF has specialized in producing a variety of cheese products, including natural cheese and processed cheese. The company has established itself as a trusted supplier in both the domestic foodservice and dairy processing markets.

Over the past 16 years, the company’s accumulated technological expertise has been proven by supplying to major dairy companies such as Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairies, as well as nationwide franchise brands like Domino’s Pizza and Banollim Pizza.

The company’s growth trajectory is also clear. Through ongoing investment in facilities and the recruitment of outstanding talent, Johung GF achieved sales of 46.7 billion KRW in 2024. The company has actively introduced welfare initiatives for employees, such as expanding local talent recruitment, operating dormitories, providing commuter bus services, and offering access to a welfare mall, thereby contributing to the creation of a stable and healthy labor-management culture.

Johung GF also considers coexistence with the local community a key management principle. The company continues to engage in social contribution activities, such as regularly donating food supplies to local social welfare facilities, and is strengthening its foundation for sustainable growth by implementing an ESG management system.

Baek Nakho, Mayor of Gimcheon, stated, “I sincerely congratulate Johung GF on being selected as a Top Local Company for its tangible contributions to the local economy and job creation,” and added, “We will continue to provide administrative support so that local companies can invest and grow with confidence.”

Gimcheon City selects its “Top Local Company” each year by evaluating factors such as growth potential, employment contribution, and community engagement. Selected companies receive a variety of incentives, including preferential limits on working capital loans for small and medium-sized enterprises and opportunities to showcase their achievements in the local excellent company promotion zone.

With this selection, Johung GF has further solidified its position as a leading cheese processing company representing Gimcheon, strengthening its model of mutual growth with the local community.