Recruiting Young Entrepreneurs to Participate in the 'Jongno Youth Forest Permanent Market'

Support for Young Handmade Artists Facing Challenges Due to Limited Sales Space and Promotion... Last Year, 150 Teams Participated Achieving About 190 Million KRW in Sales... From This Year, Additional Sales Spaces Will Showcase and Sell Local Specialty Products... Interested Participants Should Submit Application and Product Photos via Email by 6 PM on the 28th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is recruiting young entrepreneurs to participate in the 'Jongno Youth Forest Permanent Market' held at Taeyang Garden near Jonggak Station (in front of Jongno Bookstore) in April and May.

Started in 2017, 'Jongno Youth Forest' was created to support sales channels for young handmade craft artists who face difficulties due to lack of sales space and promotion.

It stands out for leveraging the regional characteristics of a densely packed area with various institutions and companies, strong purchasing power, and a large number of tourists and floating population. In addition to selling young entrepreneurs' idea products and handmade crafts, the district has received positive responses from passing citizens by presenting various performances, experience programs, and events.

Since 2020, a startup support space has been established at Taeyang Garden near Jonggak Station and has been operated permanently. Over the past year, a total of 150 young entrepreneurs participated, achieving remarkable sales of about 190 million KRW.

This year, the district plans to actively exhibit and sell regional specialized products representing Jongno-gu, such as Hanbok, sewing, and jewelry, in the additionally created sales space.

The district is currently recruiting young handmade craft artists to participate in two-week intervals between April and May.

The target applicants are Seoul citizens aged 19 to 39 who can directly produce and sell handmade crafts and idea products as young entrepreneurs.

Additional points will be given to prospective entrepreneurs preparing to start a business or those participating in startup support programs in Jongno-gu if they have a business registration or a resident registration address in Jongno-gu. Submission of supporting documents is mandatory.

Participation is free of charge, and the deposit is 50,000 KRW. Those wishing to apply should submit the application form along with production process details and photos to the person in charge via email (market@respace.co.kr) by 6 p.m. on the 28th of this month.

Selected participants will be provided with one store space (mobile stall, chair, signboard, lockable storage space, electricity). Additionally, they will have the opportunity to photograph their products in a studio for future promotional use.

Jongno Youth Forest prohibits the sale of mass-produced products not directly made by the participants, food items, products that harm public morals, or those posing safety risks.

Furthermore, card payment must be available, and if card payment is not possible, payment methods such as bank transfer, Zero Pay, Kakao Pay, etc., must be clearly indicated. Price tags on all products are also mandatory.

For detailed information including application forms, please check the Jongno-gu Office website or contact Respace Company directly.

Meanwhile, Jongno-gu operates the Jongno Youth Startup Center (5th floor, Naeil Building, 3 Saemunan-ro 3-gil) to nurture challenging young entrepreneurs, create jobs, and invigorate the local economy.

The center offers various spaces including offices for resident companies, open office spaces, and meeting rooms. Located in the heart of Seoul, it provides a clean and pleasant environment along with high-quality startup programs and expert mentoring, making it popular among local young entrepreneurs since its official opening in February last year.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “This year, Jongno Youth Forest will be continuously operated until December. Jongno Youth Forest was established to support young entrepreneurs struggling with high rents and to encourage their growth. We will consistently operate not only market support but also the startup center and related programs to help Jongno’s youth achieve economic independence and create jobs.”

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