The number of "honorary roads" named after companies is increasing across the country. Once considered the exclusive domain of major conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai Motor, honorary roads are now spreading to the food and franchise industries. These road names are becoming symbols of mutual growth between corporations and local governments, rather than merely serving as street names.

According to industry sources on June 27, Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province recently renovated the "Gyochon1991 Cultural Street" in collaboration with Kyochon F&B. This street, which stretches approximately 500 meters from Gumi General Terminal to Donga Department Store, was established around "Gyochon1991-ro," the first honorary road designated by Gumi City last year. A total budget of 1.8 billion won was invested (1.3 billion won from Kyochon and 500 million won from Gumi City).

Won Kang Kwon, Chairman of Kyochon F&B

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Gumi is the city where Won Kang Kwon, Chairman of Kyochon F&B, opened the first Kyochon Chicken restaurant in 1991. The original location is still in operation in Songjeong-dong. Gumi City explained that the honorary road name was granted to recognize Kyochon’s symbolic significance and to contribute to the revitalization of Gumi’s tourism industry and local economy.

Chairman Kwon emphasized, "Gyochon1991 Cultural Street is not just a branded space, but a result that embodies Kyochon's philosophy of growing together with the local community," adding, "We will continue to realize social value through ongoing cooperation with the local community."

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Before Kyochon Chicken, Harim had already received an honorary road designation. On May 4, 2020, Iksan City in North Jeolla Province designated a 1.9-kilometer section from in front of Harim Holdings' headquarters to the Iksan Station intersection as "Harim-ro." In March of this year, Iksan City also decided to maintain "Harim-ro," its first honorary road, through 2030.

Iksan is the hometown and the starting point of the business for Hongkuk Kim, founder and Chairman of Harim. The story of Chairman Kim raising ten chicks given to him by his grandmother as an elementary school student and eventually establishing a broiler farm is well known.

Chairman Kim has invested more than 600 billion won in the Iksan Food Industrial Complex and created over 4,000 jobs. Currently, Iksan is home to the headquarters of 17 Harim affiliates and 55 business sites. At the time of the honorary road extension, Iksan City explained, "We are extending the usage period to commemorate the value of a company that has grown together with the local community and to continue the original purpose of the honorary road name."

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In addition to these two companies, other corporations in the distribution industry have also received honorary road designations: KGC Ginseng Corporation’s "Jeonggwanjang-ro" in Buyeo County, South Chungcheong Province; Daemyung Sono’s "Sol Beach-ro" in Namhae County, South Gyeongsang Province; and Theborn Korea’s "Baek Jongwon Street" in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province.

An honorary road is a symbolic road name additionally granted to all or part of an already named road, for purposes such as attracting businesses or promoting international exchange. While not a legal road name used for postal addresses, it is granted based on social contribution and public interest according to the Road Name Address Act. It can be extended every five years upon review.

The honorary road designation system began in 2016, when Changwon City in South Gyeongsang Province first introduced it as part of a corporate revitalization project. Since then, Changwon City has granted road names after three companies: Doosan Volvo-ro, LG Electronics-ro, and Hyosung-ro.

Roads named after corporations or their owners have mainly been created by the four major conglomerates. There are more than five roads associated with Samsung. In 2021, Uiryeong County granted honorary road names such as "Hoam Lee Byungchul-daero," "Samsung Lee Kunhee-daero," and "Samsung Lee Byungchul-daero" to roads near the birthplace of Samsung's founder, in commemoration of the company's founding spirit. Gwangju City designated "Samsung-ro" for the approach road to Samsung Electronics, in recognition of its contribution to the development of the electronics industry. In Geoje City, South Gyeongsang Province, there is "Samsung Heavy Industries-ro." In the past, "Samsung-ro" was also found in Yongin, Hwaseong, Suwon, and Pyeongtaek, cities where Samsung established semiconductor plants.

In Changwon City, there is "LG Electronics-ro"; in Ulsan, "HD Hyundai Construction Equipment-ro"; and in Gwangju, where a Kia plant is located, "Kia-ro."

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The reason local governments have started naming roads after companies is to actively attract corporate investment. From the companies' perspective, having a road named after them can boost employee pride and help build an image as a company that has grown around a particular hub. It is also seen as an effective way to publicize their ongoing cooperative relationship with the local government.

An industry insider explained, "The designation of honorary roads and other road names provides both promotional benefits and practical advantages for both local governments and companies," adding, "Most of these roads are related to the hometowns of company owners, which further strengthens the symbolic value of the companies."