Gangwon Province and Chuncheon City have successfully attracted plant-protein specialist Ssoyimaru as they work to grow their food‑tech industry. On the 10th, the province and city signed a 4.2 billion KRW (about $3.15 million USD) investment agreement with Ssoyimaru to support the company’s relocation and the construction of new production facilities.
Under the deal, Ssoyimaru will move its headquarters and factory from Namyangju in Gyeonggi Province to the Namchuncheon General Industrial Complex in Chuncheon. The company plans a production site of 4,768 m² (about 51,322 sq ft) with a total floor area of 2,755 m² (about 29,654 sq ft).
Founded in 2012, Ssoyimaru focuses on plant-based proteins, producing alternative-meat items like tofu and soy-based meat. Riding the wave of growing vegan demand, the company has expanded into markets such as the United States and Canada while strengthening its domestic distribution network.
As of 2025, Ssoyimaru’s sales stood at roughly 3.9 billion KRW (about $2.925 million USD). With this investment, the company plans to double its staff from 16 to 32 through new hires.
The plant-based food and alternative-protein industries scale best when production facilities, distribution channels, and R&D are developed together. Officials say local governments are courting manufacturers like Ssoyimaru to build an integrated food-and-bio industrial ecosystem.
Chuncheon expects the relocation to expand the food-and-bio ecosystem, strengthen the manufacturing base, and diversify the local economy. Gangwon Province continues to pursue policies that nurture future industries by linking food tech and biotech.
Kim Jin‑tae, governor of Gangwon Province, said, “This investment is directly tied to the future industries based on food tech and bio that Gangwon is strategically developing. We will actively support the company so it can settle in and grow.”
Moon Seok‑woo, CEO of Ssoyimaru, said, “Chuncheon offers a balanced mix of industrial infrastructure and quality of life. We will accelerate production expansion and our push into global markets.”
Hyun Jun‑tae, deputy mayor of Chuncheon, added, “We will provide full administrative support throughout the entire process, from investment to plant operations.”
