Dobong-gu Self-Sufficiency Project Group Operates 3 GS25 Stores

GS25 Sindong-A Branch, GS25 Bukseoul Branch, GS Changdong Somang Branch Operation... Convenience Store Operating Profits to Be Used as Startup Funds and Self-Reliance Bonuses for Vulnerable Groups

A self-support worker is checking out items at GS25 Changdong Somang branch in Dobong-gu.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dongjin Lee) Dobong Regional Self-Support Center is actively operating three GS25 convenience stores through collaboration with GS25 as part of a market-entry type self-support project.

Among Seoul's regional self-support centers, Dobong Regional Self-Support Center is the third to open up to the third store, following Gwangjin and Gangseo Regional Self-Support Centers.

To strengthen residents' capabilities and secure market participation opportunities for the self-support labor project group, convenience store operation and entrepreneurship education are continuously conducted, making it very popular among local residents.

The first store, GS25 Sindonga Branch, initially opened on February 23, 2019. With 10 employees, it achieved annual sales of 62 million KRW, paving the way to open the second store, GS25 Bukseoul Branch.

The second store, GS25 Bukseoul Branch, assigned a participating resident who acquired management know-how at GS25 Sindonga Branch as the manager, and is expected to achieve annual sales of 75 million KRW this year.

The third store, GS Changdong Somang Branch, has had seven self-support workers working in shifts 24 hours a day, year-round, since June 30, and they are cooperating under the leadership of a highly motivated manager.

This year, by operating three convenience stores, they plan to achieve an annual sales target of 180 million KRW.

A 45-year-old female participant, a single parent raising three children who has been working at Sindonga Branch for a year, said, “As my children grow, part-time jobs were not enough to support our livelihood, but working 40 hours a week at the convenience store operated by the self-support center and receiving performance bonuses according to my work makes me very satisfied,” and added, “I want to learn more diligently and challenge myself to start a convenience store business.”

Song Geon, director of Dobong Regional Self-Support Center, expressed his ambition, saying, “Under the vision of creating decent jobs through a self-support project that is community- and resident-friendly by experiencing a valuable and happy work culture, we will do our best to improve participants' confidence and strengthen their work capabilities to contribute to poverty alleviation and job provision.”

Dobong Regional Self-Support Center operates woodworking projects, New Clean (cleaning) projects, public catering, bicycle repair and sales, Together Table (dining), youth cafes, and handmade product pilot projects to support active social participation of vulnerable groups.

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