Cheongju’s Innovative Mobile Marketplace: What You Need to Know About the 3.5-Ton Vehicle Rollout

Translation result

The Public — Reporter Oh Hong-ji: On the 28th, Cheongju City signed a private consignment agreement with the Dongcheongju Agricultural Cooperative to operate a mobile market serving Miwon-myeon.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will ensure a steady supply of daily necessities to residents of 27 outlying villages in Miwon-myeon, Sangdang District—areas with limited retail and basic infrastructure—and connect those residents to needed welfare services to improve living conditions in the rural community.

As part of the pact, the city will provide a city-owned 3.5-ton box truck and cover the vehicle’s operating expenses.

The Dongcheongju Agricultural Cooperative (Dongcheongju Nonghyup) will run the mobile market and manage the vehicle from May through December 2027.

The project will invest KRW 280 million for the vehicle purchase and KRW 90 million for operations, a total of KRW 370 million (approximately USD 210,000 and USD 67,500 respectively; total about USD 277,500).

The vehicle purchase is funded 70% by the national government and 30% by the city; operating costs are covered entirely by the city.

Key activities will include scheduled sales visits to 27 outlying villages in Miwon-myeon; coordinating pre-orders for daily necessities and agricultural products; managing inventory through a POS system; and linking vulnerable residents with welfare services.

Before full operations begin, the Korea Rural Community Corporation and Dongcheongju Nonghyup will conduct a four-month pilot run from May through August.

Acting Cheongju Mayor Shin Byung-dae said, “We expect Dongcheongju Nonghyup’s distribution expertise to materially improve the quality of life for Miwon-myeon residents.”