Gwangju Selected for Government Pilot Project "1,000-Won Breakfast"

A Leading Example of Labor Welfare in Industrial Complexes, Adopted as a National Policy Task
Pilot Operation Until December, Third Location to Open Next Year

Kang Gijeong, mayor of Gwangju, attended the opening ceremony of the 'Simple Breakfast' breakfast support for industrial complex workers held on March 27, 2023, on the first floor of the Hanam Workers' Welfare Center in Gwangsan-gu. He is seen eating sandwiches and conversing with the workers. Photo by Gwangju City

The city of Gwangju has been finally selected for the government's pilot project, "2025 Industrial Complex Workers’ 1,000-Won Breakfast." This initiative, first implemented by Gwangju and later adopted as a national policy task, is considered a leading example in the field of labor welfare.

According to the city of Gwangju on October 1, the "1,000-Won Breakfast for Industrial Complex Workers" project was introduced this year by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation) to promote healthy eating habits among workers and encourage rice consumption.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held an open call for industrial complexes nationwide from September 3 to 17. Out of 20 applicants, 16 locations, including Gwangju, were ultimately selected. For the group-type category, the Gwangju Gwangsan Community Self-Sufficiency Center was chosen, and the city expects synergy with existing projects.

To reduce breakfast skipping among industrial complex workers, Gwangju started at Hanam Industrial Complex in 2023 and opened a second location at Cheomdan Industrial Complex in 2024, offering kimbap and sandwiches at 2,000 to 3,000 won-about half the regular price. With this pilot project selection, the city will provide kimbap for 1,000 won in line with the government’s rice consumption promotion guidelines. Next year, as the project expands, a variety of rice-based menu items using domestic rice will be offered for 1,000 won.

The pilot project will run for about two and a half months until December 19, and workers can enjoy affordable breakfasts on weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. at Hanam Industrial Complex (first floor of Hanam Workers' Welfare Center) and Cheomdan Industrial Complex (first floor of Technopark Science and Technology Building). Based on the experience of operating the first and second locations, the city plans to open a third location at Pyeongdong Industrial Complex in the first half of next year.

Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "In 2023, Gwangju became the first city in the country to launch a breakfast support program for workers out of a desire to provide a warm meal to those starting their day. It is even more meaningful that the Lee Jaemyung administration has adopted it as a national policy task. We will do our utmost to improve the welfare of working citizens by expanding the program, including opening a third location next year, so that more workers can start their day with a hearty breakfast and work in good health."

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