Gapyeong County's Youth Entrepreneurship Support Bears Fruit... Local Startups Enter Incheon Airport Duty

Pine Nut Chicken Gangjeong and Dalgwa031 Secure Entry to Incheon Airport Duty-Free Shop Gapyeong County’s Youth Startup Support Delivers Notable Results

The youth entrepreneurship support policy promoted by Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, is producing tangible results. Customized job and startup training for young people, one-on-one consulting, and support for establishing a business foundation have led to successful startups by local youth, injecting new vitality into the regional economy.

The chicken gangjeong specialty store "Yuil Chicken Gangjeong," a youth startup company in the Gapyeong area, is being launched in the duty-free shop at Incheon International Airport. Provided by Gapyeong County

According to Gapyeong County on June 10, two youth startup companies from the Gapyeong area have secured entry into the duty-free shop at Incheon International Airport, demonstrating the competitiveness of local brands.

A representative example is the chicken gangjeong specialty store "Yuil Dakgangjeong." CEO Byunghoon Yoo (age 35) settled in Gapyeong to start a business after leaving a large corporation, but initially faced difficulties due to the limited size of the local consumer market and management burdens. However, by actively utilizing Gapyeong County’s youth entrepreneurship support programs, he was able to establish a solid business foundation. He succeeded in differentiating the business by developing "pine nut chicken gangjeong" using pine nuts, a local specialty.

As a result, in May, he achieved the milestone of becoming the first business from the Gapyeong area to enter the duty-free shop at Incheon International Airport. Currently, the company continues to see steady sales growth and engages in sharing activities for vulnerable groups, establishing itself as a company that coexists with the local community.

CEO Yoo stated, "Thanks to the support from Gapyeong County and the interest of local residents, I was able to grow the business stably," and added, "With entry into the Incheon Airport duty-free shop as a turning point, I will widely promote the taste and attractions of Gapyeong both domestically and internationally."

Another success story is Ohyun Kwon (age 37), CEO of the agricultural corporation Yeolmae Dalpyeong Co., Ltd. Based on his experience at a major engineering company, he settled in Gapyeong and took on the challenge of developing an alcoholic beverage brand to increase the added value of local agricultural products.

CEO Kwon faced high entry barriers such as acquiring an alcoholic beverage manufacturing license and establishing production facilities. However, through Gapyeong County’s youth entrepreneurship education and support programs, he was able to refine his business model and build the manufacturing infrastructure. He then launched the fruit distilled liquor brand "Dalgwa031" using Gapyeongsan apples, grapes, and pears, and recently secured entry into the duty-free shop at Incheon International Airport.

CEO Kwon said, "I took on the challenge of starting a business with the desire to promote the value of Gapyeong’s agricultural products," and added, "I will use our entry into the duty-free shop as a stepping stone to create a brand that grows together with local farmers."

Fruit distillate brand "DalGwa031" using Gapyeongsan apples, grapes, and pears. Provided by Gapyeong County

Gapyeong County evaluates that its youth entrepreneurship support policy is achieving various effects, including encouraging young people to settle in the area, creating jobs, and expanding sales channels for agricultural products.

A Gapyeong County official stated, "We are pursuing various support policies so that young entrepreneurs can operate and grow their businesses stably," and added, "We will continue to strengthen customized support for young people to create even more success stories."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.