Unmanned ramen store opens in Danyang to help underprivileged people become self-reliant

 

A special unmanned ramen store has opened in Danyang, North Chungcheong Province, to help the underprivileged achieve economic independence. 'Kodeul Ramyun', operated by the Danyang Regional Self-Reliance Center, is operated in both a manned and unmanned form and provides new jobs to recipients of basic livelihood security and the second-lowest class.

Kkodeul Ramen, which opened in Dajeon-ri, Danyang-eup on the 24th, welcomes customers in a clean and organized environment. There are about 10 different types of ramen, as well as a ramen cooker and microwave, so customers can cook and eat their own ramen. It operates from 6 a.m. to midnight every day, and when customers pay through the kiosk, employees manage and clean the store.

In particular, Kodeul Ramen is significant in that it goes beyond simply selling ramen and provides opportunities for self-reliance to the underprivileged. Kim Seon-wol, who is from the second-lowest class, said, "I had a hard time working in a self-supporting labor business due to friction with people, but I found peace of mind by working at Kodeul Ramyun," and expressed his ambition, saying, "I want to start a business in the future."

Team leader Daniel Lee of the Danyang Regional Self-Sufficiency Center said, "The existing self-sufficiency work project was focused on factory work or cleaning services, which had the problem of lowering the self-esteem of the underprivileged." “He explained.

Kodeul Ramen goes beyond simply providing jobs and also contributes to local coexistence. By purchasing ingredients from nearby supermarkets and establishing itself as a convenience facility for local residents, it is also contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

Danyang Regional Self-Reliance Center made various efforts to make the Kkodeul Ramyun project a success. By collecting opinions from young employees, the menu was diversified to include ramen for children and vegans, and popular ramen was selected to reflect the preferences of local residents.

Kodeul Ramen is operating successfully, with an average of more than 100 customers visiting per day. 70% of sales are saved into the Self-Reliance Development Institute's central fund, and the remaining 30% is paid as performance bonuses to employees.

Danyang Regional Self-Reliance Center hopes that the Kkodeul Ramen model will spread to other regions and give hope to more underprivileged people.