Mayor Lee Sangil: "We Will Develop Yongin's Self-Sufficiency Program into a Nationwide Success Model"

Yongin City's Self-Sufficiency Work: An "Economic Virtuous Cycle Model"

Operating 11 Work Groups to Support Economic Independence of the Vulnerable

Special Projects Utilizing "JoaYong" and Startup Linkages Yield Results

Local Governments Like Hongcheon (Gangwon) and Cheongju (Chungbuk) Benchmark Yongin's Model

The self-sufficiency work projects operated by Yongin Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Sangil) are emerging not just as simple job programs supporting the economically vulnerable, but as an "economic virtuous cycle model" that links entrepreneurship and revitalization of the local economy.

Exterior view of the second branch of the self-support enterprise "Bapgwa Hamkkeramyeon" in Yongin Special City. Provided by Yongin City

On July 21, the city announced that its self-sufficiency work projects, which have been promoted to provide stable jobs and startup opportunities for low-income residents with the will to be self-reliant, are being highly evaluated thanks to the expansion of business areas and the establishment of a systematic support system.

Currently, there are a total of 11 self-sufficiency work groups in Yongin Special City. The market-entry type groups include LaLa Wash, the second branch of BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon, JoaYongin, the third branch of BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon, and CU Sindongbaek Branch, making a total of five. The social service-type groups include Kumdreem Imgagong, Free Caregiving, The Healthy Dog, the first branch of BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon, the fourth branch of BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon, and Refurb Market.

These groups have a total of 121 self-sufficiency workers, who are developing their vocational skills. In addition, five self-sufficiency enterprises—Hanuri Architecture Co., Ltd., Saenghwal Gwa Hwan-gyeong Co., Ltd., CNP World Co., Ltd., Yakkiten Co., Ltd., and Hope Nareum Co., Ltd.—are being operated to support the economic independence of the vulnerable class.

Yongin Special City's self-sufficiency work projects have established a self-support structure that connects employment and startups. The program is recognized for going beyond simply providing jobs: it offers customized projects that reflect participants' abilities and local characteristics, thereby laying the foundation for sustainable self-sufficiency.

In particular, the goods business utilizing the city's mascot "JoaYong" and regional projects such as "BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon" have become distinct self-sufficiency models unique to Yongin.

Other local governments are also showing great interest. On July 14, officials from the Hongcheon Community Self-Sufficiency Center and Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province visited Yongin to benchmark specialized projects such as "JoaYongin," operational cases of "BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon," and integrated care-linked regional self-sufficiency programs.

A scene from the pet food production site of 'The Healthy Gae,' a self-sufficient enterprise in Yongin Special City. Provided by Yongin City

Earlier, on July 10, the Cheongju Community Self-Sufficiency Center in North Chungcheong Province visited Yongin to study operational cases in preparation for launching a youth self-sufficiency work group. The Siheung Jagun Jari Community Self-Sufficiency Center in Gyeonggi Province and Danyang Community Self-Sufficiency Center in North Chungcheong Province have also visited Yongin to share operational know-how.

The scale and role of Yongin’s self-sufficiency work groups are steadily expanding. In April of this year, the Yongin Community Self-Sufficiency Center was selected as an implementing agency for a "pilot project for restructuring customized self-sufficiency support systems" promoted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Self-Sufficiency Development Institute. Subsequently, it was designated as the primary pilot agency from July through December, pushing forward with group restructuring tailored to the capacity of self-sufficiency workers.

There are also cases where self-sufficiency projects have grown into actual businesses. Hope Nareum Co., Ltd., established last year, has been listed as a self-sufficiency enterprise. One of its main initiatives, the third branch of BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon, is working to strengthen its competitiveness with the aim of transitioning into a self-sufficiency enterprise next year.

Going forward, the city plans to expand citizen participation content featuring "JoaYong," and to spread the Yongin-style self-sufficiency model nationwide by building a brand for self-sufficiency enterprises.

Mayor Lee Sangil stated, "Yongin Special City has made great efforts to support economically vulnerable citizens with the will to be self-reliant, and as a result, various projects have grown stably, establishing a virtuous economic cycle." He added, "Our self-sufficiency programs, in cooperation with the local community, have produced such outstanding results that local governments nationwide are coming to benchmark them."

Hongcheon County Office in Gangwon Province and Hongcheon Regional Self-Sufficiency Center visited the Yongin Regional Self-Sufficiency Center in Yongin Special City for a tour. Provided by Yongin City

Mayor Lee continued, "Yongin's self-sufficiency work projects are achieving both qualitative and quantitative growth, as evidenced by the success case of 'BapGwaHamkkeRamyeon,' which was the first self-sufficiency group to achieve trademark registration and branding and is now transitioning to a self-sufficiency enterprise." He also pledged, "We will continue to provide strong support to solidify the independence of local work groups and expand the Yongin self-sufficiency brand into a nationwide model of success."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.