Review:coexistence tour
It was a truly delightful experience to participate in this complimentary tour, especially as it was organized by a public entity, which alleviated any pressure to make purchases or spend money.
A pleasant surprise during the tour was receiving gifts from various businesses, such as hand soap, pie, and grapes, which were unexpected and greatly appreciated.
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the hands-on opportunity to harvest premium shine muscats myself.
The size of these grapes was nearly three times larger than what I typically find at street markets, even at a reasonable price.
While most aspects of the tour were excellent, I did find the diversity of participants and the lunch to be somewhat unsatisfactory.
Out of approximately 30 participants, the majority were from a single university and shared the same major. Only a handful of individuals, including myself, joined independently.
I believe that this tour, despite its banners on the street seeking interested individuals, is not widely known, which is a shame given its excellent potential for meeting local business owners in Yeongcheon.
The trip includes visits to three distinct local businesses and several tourist attractions within Yeongcheon.
I must admit, I was not, and still am not, entirely clear on the precise nature of a “coexistence business.”
I surmise that businesses designated as such might receive certain benefits from the government, possibly including financial assistance.
One particular detail that stands out in my memory is a statement made during our initial visit to a company, suggesting that most “coexistence runners” depend on government financial support to commence their operations.
This practice, it was noted, has led to the perception that coexistence businesses may not be particularly competitive.
However, the first company we visited presented a contrasting approach.
They initiated their business without government aid, diligently researched their industry, secured several patents, and continue to engage in ongoing studies.
This demonstrates a rather intriguing perspective on establishing and managing a business.
I hold a great deal of respect for the owners’ entrepreneurial mindset.
It is undoubtedly challenging to launch a business, especially when the option of government financial support is available, yet the long-term viability of relying solely on such support remains uncertain.
