Kim met with major distribution industry groups — including the Korea Chain Store Association, the Korea Department Store Association, the Korea Convenience Store Industry Association and the Korea Online Shopping Association — to discuss ways to broaden eco-friendly consumption.
The Beautiful Store operates about 100 locations nationwide, selling donated goods from individuals and companies. It uses the proceeds for public-interest programs, including support for low-income people and assistance for young adults preparing for independent living.
Kim and industry representatives agreed that recent instability in petrochemical feedstocks linked to the war in the Middle East should be used as an opportunity to shift toward eco-friendly consumption, including greener packaging and expanded recycling.
The Beautiful Store and the distribution groups also signed an agreement to promote eco-friendly consumption and distribution practices, pledging closer cooperation on corporate social responsibility. The ministry said it expects the pact to create a formal cooperation framework beyond one-off company efforts and to encourage more social contribution activities.
Kim said he hopes the agreement will serve as a model platform for cooperation between the distribution industry and social enterprises, adding that he expects eco-friendly consumption and sharing to continue to grow.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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