Gyeonggi Province Allows Sales of 'Bonggong-i' Character Merchandise to Support Vulnerable Groups

Gyeonggi Province is supporting self-sufficiency projects for vulnerable groups such as seniors and people with disabilities through the development and sale of merchandise utilizing the provincial character Bonggong-i.

On the 7th, at the Gwanggyo Provincial Government Complex, Gyeonggi Province signed a 'Business Agreement on Activating Self-Sufficiency Projects Using Gyeonggi Province Brand' with the Gyeonggi Regional Self-Sufficiency Center, the Gyeonggi Senior Employment Support Center, and the Gyeonggi Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Facilities for the Disabled.

The agreement involves Gyeonggi Province providing free intellectual property rights (IP) for Gyeonggi Province brands including Bonggong-i, and supporting self-sufficiency projects for vulnerable groups such as the working poor, seniors, and people with disabilities through brand design consulting. Gyeonggi Province and each organization previously signed a business agreement in August 2023 approving the free use of the provincial character 'Bonggong-i' IP.

Since then, 27 types of character merchandise have been sold, recording cumulative sales of 266 million won, achieving job creation through self-sufficiency initiatives and expanding sales channels, as well as raising awareness of the Gyeonggi Province brand.

Under the agreement, the Gyeonggi Regional Self-Sufficiency Center will handle existing merchandise sales and develop new products such as stationery, as well as operate online and offline sales outlets. The Gyeonggi Senior Employment Support Center plans to develop new products such as textile items and food products, while the Gyeonggi Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Facilities for the Disabled plans to apply the provincial brand to various products including promotional items and publicity materials.

Lee Won-gu, Director of Public Relations and Planning for Gyeonggi Province, said, "We hope that self-sufficiency projects for vulnerable groups will become more active through the development and sales support of products utilizing the provincial brand," and added, "We will develop it into a brand business that practices the values of fairness, innovation, and inclusion in provincial governance."

Meanwhile, 'Bonggong-i' is a representative character of Gyeonggi Province that embodies the meaning of 'bonggong (serving the public)' emphasized in Dasan Jung Yak-yong's 'Mokminsimseo,' conveying the determination to lead the way for the happiness of provincial residents and public values. The province operates an official Instagram account for Bonggong-i (@bonggong_with_gyeonggi) for friendly communication with residents.