Korean strawberries loved by Japan's women's curling team now harvested by young farmers at Yanggu smart farm

Yanggu-gun is a small, pristine city in Gangwon Province connected to Mount Kumgang, known for healthy ingredients such as radish greens, wild aster and asparagus.

Now, young farmers in Yanggu are harvesting Korean-variety strawberries — the same ones that Japan's women's curling team, including Fujisawa, raved about, setting off a sensation in Japan.

Yanggu-gun has completed construction of a locally specialized rental smart farm and begun full-scale operations. Only a handful of spots remain for prospective tenants.

According to Yanggu-gun on Tuesday, the county was selected for a Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs public competition project in 2022 and has since developed a 4.0-hectare locally specialized rental smart farm in the Ihyeon-ri area of Haean-myeon. A greenhouse dedicated to strawberry cultivation was completed last November, followed by a tomato greenhouse this month, giving the facility a full operational foundation.

To help incoming young farmers prepare for tomato greenhouse operations, Yanggu-gun conducted three rounds of training from March through June covering integrated environmental control systems, mechanical equipment use and cultivation techniques. This month, the county also brought in specialist consultants to deliver theoretical and hands-on training aimed at giving young farmers practical support as they launch their smart farming businesses.

The strawberry greenhouse has grown Seolhyang strawberries since November 2025, with shipments to wholesale markets, direct sales channels and local marts beginning in December. The tomato greenhouse planted about 20,000 full-sized tomato seedlings and about 10,000 cherry tomato seedlings this month, with the first harvest expected in July or August.

The Yanggu locally specialized rental smart farm was developed as a northern-climate smart agriculture model suited to the climate and geographic characteristics of Haean-myeon. It incorporates a geothermal energy system to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating and cooling costs in winter, and lower carbon emissions — all while supporting the production of high-quality produce.

The smart farm has capacity for nine teams in total. Four strawberry-growing teams and three tomato-growing teams are currently operating at the facility.

Yanggu-gun is recruiting additional tenants for the two remaining spots in the tomato greenhouse.

Kim Gyeong-im, head of the county's agricultural policy division, said the county had supported incoming young farmers in settling quickly and stably through pre-move-in management training, and pledged continued efforts to expand and promote smart agriculture across the county.