Pyeongchang County Achieves a Decade of Small Business Sanitation Improvements, Supporting 530 Establishments

Pyeongchang County Triples Customized Environmental Improvements for Small Businesses

Pyeongchang County in Gangwon Province announced on the 27th that it has been steadily implementing the “Food and Public Sanitation Business Environment Improvement Support Project” over a ten-year period from 2016 to 2025, taking the lead in improving outdated facilities of small-scale businesses within the county and fostering a safe dining culture.

Appearance of the accommodation Sweet Village (after construction). Provided by Pyeongchang County

A total of 530 businesses have received support so far, achieving a 37.3% implementation rate among the 1,422 general restaurants and accommodation businesses in the area. In particular, in 2025, the county expanded support primarily for small business owners, excluding establishments with unified brand systems such as franchise headquarters and franchisees. As a result, a budget of 144 million won was allocated to 27 businesses in 2025, tripling the scale compared to the average of 10 businesses in previous years.

The 2025 project especially focused on converting floor-seating tables to Western-style tables. As a result, 11 out of the 27 food sanitation businesses (about 41%) installed Western-style tables, significantly enhancing the convenience and competitiveness of small-scale businesses.

For the selection and evaluation of participating businesses, the county comprehensively assessed each establishment’s contribution to the local community, rather than simply providing support. Fair additional points were awarded based on various criteria, including contribution to local revitalization, use of locally produced agricultural products, family business succession, status as a young entrepreneur, participation in restaurant consulting, and affiliation with the Gangwon Resident Card program. Through this process, the county prioritized support for businesses that contribute to community development and focused on strengthening the autonomous hygiene management capabilities of small business owners.

Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must have their registered address in Pyeongchang County, operate a business within the county, and have continuously operated a general restaurant for at least two years as of the business registration and opening date. However, establishments with unified brand systems, such as franchise headquarters and franchisees, are excluded from support. In addition, businesses in violation of the Food Sanitation Act or the Public Sanitation Management Act, recent recipients of similar projects, those currently closed or out of business, and those that submit false documents are also excluded from support.

Kim Sunran, head of the county’s Health Policy Division, stated, “Over the past ten years, the environmental improvement project has significantly raised the hygiene and safety standards of small-scale businesses in the region, creating a dining environment where both residents and tourists can visit with confidence. In 2026, we plan to continue the environment improvement project focusing on small business owners, comprehensively upgrading outdated sanitary facilities and establishing a safe and clean dining environment, thereby enhancing service quality and revitalizing the local economy.”

Pyeongchang County is being recognized for achieving both strengthened competitiveness of small businesses and the establishment of a safe dining culture through this project, earning a reputation for creating a dining environment that is trusted by both the local community and tourists.