Daejeon marks 14th Cooperative Day with ceremony, awards

A ceremony was held Thursday to reflect on the role and achievements of cooperatives that have contributed to revitalizing the local economy and advancing social values through cooperation and mutual growth.

Daejeon city held the "14th Daejeon City Cooperative Day Anniversary Ceremony" at the Seo Eui-pil Memorial Hall at Hannam University, with Mayor Heo Tae-jeong and about 150 attendees including cooperative members and representatives of social economy enterprises.

Held under the theme "Tomorrow We Build Together, Daejeon Cooperatives," the ceremony presented commendations to individuals and organizations that have contributed to cooperative development and community growth — five citations from the Daejeon mayor and three from the Hanbat Cooperative Federation. Attendees celebrated the honorees and reflected on the social role and value of cooperatives.

A best-practice showcase followed, with two cooperatives recognized as star cooperatives in 2025 and one selected as a self-reliance strengthening standout in 2026 sharing their success stories of growing alongside the community. Participants exchanged views on sustainable growth strategies for cooperatives.

A promotional and sales zone inside the venue featured products and services from various cooperatives, giving citizens a chance to learn about and engage with the cooperative model.

"This ceremony was a meaningful occasion to share the achievements of cooperatives and reaffirm the values of cooperation and mutual growth," Mayor Heo said. "Cooperatives play a vital role in revitalizing the local economy and restoring community bonds, and we will continue to pursue a range of support policies to help them build a sustainable foundation for growth."