Nongkyung New Headquarters Completion Ceremony 2025-10-31

[Reporter Han Ik-hwan] Koo Ja-kyun, CEO of Nonggyeong Co., Ltd., a leading company in potting soil, received a Presidential Commendation.On the 14th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the '2024 SME Technology & Management Innovation Show (K-INNO SHOW 2024) Meritorious Service Awards Ceremony' at the Ulsan Convention Center (UECO), honoring CEO Koo Ja-kyun's achievements.Located in Deoksan-eup, Jincheon-gun, North Chungcheong Province, Nonggyeong Co., Ltd. holds the number one market share in the potting soil industry and has been loved by farmers for 34 years.Since its founding in 1991, CEO Koo Ja-kyun, the second-generation leader following the first-generation Chairman Koo Chang-hoe, has solidified the company's position as a homegrown enterprise dedicated to researching and developing the best potting soil in Korea. Nongkyung Co., Ltd. satisfies customer needs through a diverse product lineup including products for rice paddies, horticulture, and custom applications.Recently, based on ESG management guidelines, the company completed environmental improvements for carbon neutrality and the establishment of production lines through digital transformation, completing preparations for a new leap forward.Recipient CEO Koo Ja-kyun stated, "I feel an even greater sense of responsibility and mission upon receiving this award in recognition of my contributions to agricultural development," and expressed his aspirations, saying, "I will use this as an opportunity to support global expansion by creating a new paradigm for exporting potting soil technology."Potting soil is artificial soil possessing physical, chemical, and biological properties designed to promote seed germination and produce high-quality seedlings.Used by all farmers in South Korea, potting soil guarantees robust seedling growth by ensuring crop yields, facilitating agricultural accessibility, and providing stable quality.The Presidential Commendation for SMEs is an honorable award presented to companies or representatives who have achieved outstanding results in the development and strengthening of competitiveness of SMEs,signifying the recognition and encouragement of their efforts and achievements. Source: Korea Internet News http://www.coreanews.kr

Site of the completion ceremony for the new agricultural production line

 With the application of potting soil for rice from Nongkyung Co., Ltd. (CEO Koo Ja-kyun), a domestic company specializing in potting soil, to the rice farming demonstration project being promoted by Buyeo County in cooperation with Namangan Province in Uzbekistan, the overseas field demonstration of Korean agricultural materials and technology is set to begin in earnest.This project is part of the rice farming demonstration complex development project in Namangan Province, Uzbekistan, currently being promoted by Buyeo County, and involves the phased application of cultivation techniques and agricultural materials suitable for the local agricultural environment. In particular, to secure a stable growth environment during the seedling stage, which is the starting point of rice cultivation, a potting soil for agricultural rice cultivation is being introduced on a trial basis.Potting soil for rice cultivation is characterized by enhanced stability in the early stages of seedling growth based on moisture retention, aeration, and a uniform particle structure. It is evaluated as a foundational material capable of reducing the risk of cultivation failure in overseas agricultural sites characterized by high climate variability and inconsistent growing conditions, and is being utilized as a key material for establishing a stable seedling environment in this pilot project.In this regard, on the 22nd of last month, the Buyeo County Uzbekistan Rice Farming Demonstration Complex Promotion Team visited Nongkyung to inspect the company's current status, characteristics of potting soil products, manufacturing processes, and quality control systems. In particular, focusing on the smart factory completed in September 2024, they examined the automated production lines, quality control systems, and logistics and transportation readiness considering overseas supply, and discussed local applicability and practical cooperation plans.Buyeo County plans to gradually expand the 'K-Goodtre Agriculture' project, which involves conducting rice farming demonstrations at a local pilot complex of approximately 60 hectares in Namangan Province and applying Korean-style agricultural technology and operational models to the region. It is evaluated as significant as an example of overseas agricultural cooperation led by a local government and combined with the technological capabilities of private companies.An agricultural official stated, “The rice farming demonstration complex in Namangan Province, Uzbekistan, is a symbolic example of the actual application of Korean agricultural materials and technology in overseas agricultural fields,” adding, “particularly during the seedling stage, as potting soil serves as the starting point for crop growth, "It can be an important factor in stabilizing agriculture in developing countries," he said. This collaboration between Buyeo-gun and Nongkyung serves as an example demonstrating that Korean agricultural technology can make a tangible contribution to agricultural sites in developing countries, and is providing an opportunity to assess the potential for global expansion of K-agriculture, centered on potting soil. Source: Nongupin (https://www.nongupin.co.kr)

Yeoju City Federation of Rural Leaders, Tour of Automated Production LineNongkyung Co., Ltd. (CEO Koo Ja-kyun), a company specializing in potting soil, demonstrated its competitiveness in potting soil production on-site by unveiling an automated and systematized smart factory.Members of the Yeoju District of the Korea Rural Leaders Association recently visited Nongkyung to tour the potting soil production facility and personally inspect the manufacturing process and quality control system.This field trip was organized to understand the importance of potting soil used during the seedling stage and to examine in the field the impact of soil quality on crop growth and yield.The visiting delegation toured the automated and systematized production lines and advanced production facilities centered around Nongkyung’s smart factory, which was completed in September 2024, and confirmed the entire process of mass production of potting soil.The systematic operation of the entire process, from raw material input to mixing, aging, and packaging, through smart facilities was unveiled, followed by an explanation of operational methods designed for process management, ensuring quality consistency, and increasing production efficiency. Farmers showed high interest in a stable quality management system based on the latest automated facilities.Nongkyung precisely manages detailed processes ranging from the selection of potting soil raw materials to particle size and moisture control and the blocking of foreign substances, and has established a customized production system that designs the physical and chemical properties of the potting soil differently according to the crop and cultivation environment. The farmers participating in the field trip shared the difficulties they face during the actual seedling cultivation process and exchanged opinions on criteria for selecting potting soil and methods of utilization.An agricultural official stated, “As potting soil is the starting point for crop growth, stable quality and uniformity are of the utmost importance,” adding, “through automated production based on smart factories and thorough quality control "We will continuously supply potting soil that farmers can trust," they stated.Source: Nongupin ( https://www.nongupin.co.kr)

Chungnam company Mushgro was selected for the top prize at 'Core Innovation Korea 2025,' hosted by Kukmin Ilbo and Cookie News on the 12th.Mushgro is a technology-based agricultural company that produces button mushrooms based on 43 cultivation facilities, the largest scale in the country. We possess the only integrated production system in the country that directly manages the entire process from substrate production to topsoil processing, cultivation, sorting, and packaging, and have secured safety and reliability by being the only company in the nation to receive both Producer GAP and Facility GAP certifications simultaneously. Through this, we are stably supplying consumers with clean and uniform quality button mushrooms.Koo Ja-kyun, CEO of Mushgro, is Korea's first Agricultural Meister in the button mushroom sector, and based on his experience of personally researching and operating the entire process for over 10 years... Taking this award as an opportunity, they expressed their intention to leap forward as a global specialist in button mushrooms through smart cultivation and technological advancement.

2025 Happy SME Jobs Award, Venture Business Association President's Commendation  

Direct Visit to Angeles Red Cross Branch, Practice of International Solidarity and Humanitarian Activities On November 28, 2025, the Chungbuk Youth Red Cross (RCY) Committee visited the Angeles branch of the Philippine Red Cross in Pampanga Province and delivered relief funds to typhoon victims.This aid fund was prepared with money voluntarily raised by members of the Chungbuk Youth Red Cross (RCY) Committee to provide practical assistance to Filipino residents who lost their homes due to the typhoon. The donated funds will be used for emergency relief for affected families, provision of daily necessities, and recovery support.At the handover ceremony, Ham Kyung-tae, Chairman of the Chungbuk Youth Red Cross Committee (RCY), said, "It holds great significance in that it put the spirit of solidarity into action in the face of an international disaster." "The Chungbuk Youth Red Cross (RCY) Committee stated that it will continue to participate in international relief activities with a global perspective."An official from the Angeles branch of the Philippine Red Cross expressed gratitude, saying, "It is a great comfort that you came all the way from distant Korea to deliver help."The Chungbuk Youth Red Cross (RCY) Committee plans to continuously expand youth humanitarian activities that extend beyond the region and stand in solidarity with the international community.

(Chungbuk News Reporter Yang Jeong-a) The Chungbuk Branch of the InnoBiz Association (Chairman Ahn Jun-sik) held the '2025 Chungbuk InnoBiz Day' on the 25th at the auditorium of the Chungbuk Regional Small and Medium Business Administration and honored local technology innovation companies and individuals of merit. At this event, 10 employees who achieved technological innovation results were selected as 'Technology Innovation Meritorious Service Awardees'. The award recipients are individuals who have achieved outstanding results in technology development, research and talent, and cooperation with related organizations. The awards were made even more meaningful as the representatives of each company personally participated in the presentation.The award recipients include ▲Chungbuk Regional SMEs and Ventures Agency Commendation: Director Ahn Seong-gyu of Nongkyung Co., Ltd. and Team Leader Son Hwan-sik of Win Hitech Co., Ltd. ▲ Commendation from the Korea Small Business & Venture Corporation: Manager Ryu Nan-hee of BEXCO and Team Leader Choi Jun-ho of Boda ▲ Commendation from the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation: Principal Researcher Yoo Jong-sik of Korea Metal Silicon Co., Ltd. ▲ KOTRA Chungbuk Regional Headquarters Commendation: Director Jeong Un-chan, Taewoong Food Co., Ltd. ▲ Chungbuk Business Promotion Agency Commendation: Director Kim Seung-yeon, Eugene Technology Co., Ltd. ▲ Chungbuk Women's New Employment Support Center Commendation: Manager Oh Hye-kyung, Changmyung Control Technology Co., Ltd. ▲ Jo Mi-seon, Deputy Manager of Sanjeon Precision Co., Ltd., received the Chungbuk Women’s Human Resources Development Center Award ▲ Jeon Ok-hwa, Manager of Geumjin Co., Ltd., received the Cheongju University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Award.A social contribution program with the Chungbuk Branch of the Korean Red Cross was also held concurrently with the event. Blue Mount Technology Co., Ltd. (CEO Ahn Jun-sik) participated in community contribution activities by donating a special membership fee of 6 million won.The Red Cross presented 'ESG Practice Company Plaques' to regular sponsoring companies.In addition, honorary medals and gold medals were awarded to companies that contributed to community service. The Honorary Awards were given to Blue Mount Technology, Nongkyung, and Geonju, while the Gold Awards were given to HPNC, Mirae E&G, and BEXCO.The Chungbuk branch of the InnoBiz Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seowon University RISE Project Group and the Chungbuk branch of the Korean Red Cross to strengthen cooperation for technological innovation and the realization of social value.Ahn Jun-sik, Chairman of the Chungbuk Branch, stated, “SMEs in Chungbuk are leading future industries through technological innovation,” adding, “We will continue to cooperate with companies and institutions to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.”In his congratulatory remarks, Noh Jin-sang, Head of the Chungbuk Regional Office of the SMEs and Startups, stated, “Innobiz companies are a crucial pillar supporting the competitiveness of the Chungbuk economy,” adding, “We will actively reflect opinions from the field in our policies and expand the scope of support.”The '2025 Chungbuk Innobiz Day' was held under the slogan, 'Chungbuk Innobiz, the Protagonists of Technological Innovation, Opening the Future with the Power of Technological Innovation.'At the event, exchanges among technology innovation companies and measures to revitalize the local industrial ecosystem were shared.Source: Chungbuk News (http://www.cbnews.kr)