Easing Student Living Costs Amid High Inflation and Promoting a Culture of Giving

A Sustainable Student Welfare Model Through Public–Private–Academic Cooperation

On the 3rd, Gachon University held the opening ceremony of Korea’s first “1,000-Won Student Store,” sponsored by Gyeonggi Province, at the university student center. The project was launched to ease the financial burden of students struggling with high living costs and to promote a culture of giving through public–private–academic cooperation.

The “1,000-Won Student Store” provides goods donated by companies participating in ESG management to the Gyeonggi Social Welfare Council Food Bank, which are then supplied to students through university stores at discounts of up to 90% or more.

The store is operated with funds donated by NH Nonghyup Bank’s Gyeonggi Headquarters, which contributed 3 billion KRW—of which Gachon University received 1.6 billion KRW and Pyeongtaek University received 1 billion KRW. At Gachon, the Emergency Response Committee of the Student Council directly manages the store, offering packages of food (meals, soups, side dishes) and daily necessities worth around 10,000 KRW, sold for just 1,000 KRW.

The store will operate from September 3 through November, every Tuesday and Thursday, in Room 209 of the student center (excluding public holidays). Around 100 students can use the store per day, with the duration and capacity subject to change depending on stock levels. Additionally, proceeds from the 1,000-Won sales will be reinvested into purchasing goods, creating a virtuous cycle.

The event was attended by Gachon University President Lee Gilya, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Kim Sung-rok, Head of NH Nonghyup Bank’s Gyeonggi Headquarters, Kang Ki-tae, President of the Gyeonggi Social Welfare Council, and Kim Min-sung, Acting Chair of the Gachon University Student Council Emergency Response Committee. The program included a project progress report, a commemorative photo session, and a tour of the store. Notably, Governor Kim participated as a one-day clerk, personally selling goods to students and engaging with them.

Choi Ye-won (23, sophomore in Business Administration at Gachon University) shared, “Being able to buy so many daily necessities for just 1,000 won is a huge help. I hope programs like this continue in the future.”

Kim Min-sung, Acting Chair of the Student Council Emergency Response Committee, stated, “The 1,000-Won Store is a meaningful project that provides great help to students. As a student representative, I will take responsibility and do my best to ensure stable operations.”

A student roundtable was also held, providing an opportunity to hear firsthand voices from young people struggling with high living costs.

The “1,000-Won Store” project was initiated under an agreement signed at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in June. Under the model, Gyeonggi Province handles policy development and administrative support, NH Nonghyup Bank’s Gyeonggi Headquarters provides financial resources, and social welfare organizations secure and distribute donated goods. Universities provide space and administrative backing, while student councils take charge of operations and promotion—creating a sustainable, autonomous welfare model.

Gyeonggi Province plans to establish this initiative as a follow-up to the “1,000-Won Breakfast” program, expanding practical welfare policies for university students while encouraging corporate participation linked to ESG management, thereby spreading a culture of sharing within local communities.

President Lee Gilya of Gachon University remarked, “It is meaningful to have created a program that can provide practical help to students. Gachon University will continue to work with local communities and partner organizations to enhance student welfare and realize social value.”

‘