Gangwon Province Reaps 10 Years of Rural Convergence Industry...Achieves 520 Billion Won in Sales

Rural Convergence Certified Enterprises Grow to 323, Rising to "3rd Nationwide"
Tenfold Growth in 10 Years...Driving the Regional Economy as a Sixth Industry

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 27th that as a result of implementing its Rural Convergence Industry policy over the past 10 years since 2014, it has expanded the number of certified enterprises from 30 in 2015 (7th nationwide) to 323 in 2025 (3rd nationwide), and has grown the sector to an annual sales scale of 520 billion won.

Exterior of Gangwon Provincial Government. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government

The Rural Convergence Industry, also known as the "sixth industry," creates added value by combining agriculture (primary industry) with manufacturing and processing (secondary industry), and with distribution, tourism, and experience programs (tertiary industry). It spread nationwide following the enactment of related legislation in 2014.

To foster certified enterprises, the province has built a systematic foundation for growth by discovering new enterprises, providing customized consulting, and supporting marketing and market development. It has also continuously promoted management stability and competitiveness by supporting the establishment and improvement of facilities.

As a result, the number of certified enterprises has increased more than tenfold over 10 years to reach 323, has created 2,484 jobs, and has achieved total sales of 520 billion won, thereby making a tangible contribution to revitalizing the rural regional economy.

In particular, Rural Convergence Industry models linked with rural experience and tourism are having a positive impact on increasing the inflow of urban residents and boosting vitality in rural areas, and are also helping to expand the foundation for attracting younger populations returning to farming and rural communities.

Park Hyungcheol, Director General of the Agriculture Policy Bureau of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, said, "The Rural Convergence Industry has now established itself as a core growth engine for rural areas," adding, "We will continue to discover new certified enterprises and strengthen follow-up management for existing enterprises to build a development system in which production, processing, distribution, and experience are organically connected, and we will work to create a rural economic community where regions grow together."

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