City to launch local business cooperation council ahead of store's arrival

The Costco site under development in Suncheon's Seonwol district, adjacent to the Sindae district. [Yeosu MBC]
The Costco site under development in Suncheon's Seonwol district, adjacent to the Sindae district. [Yeosu MBC]

Suncheon city officials said Wednesday that Costco's planned opening in the Seonwol district is "firmly decided" and that rumors circulating in the community that the deal had fallen through are "completely untrue."

The city attributed delays to administrative reorganization following the launch of the South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city, which pushed back personnel appointments at the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone Authority and other agencies, as well as the impact of the June 3 local elections. Officials said Costco's commitment to opening a Suncheon location remains clear.

However, the city said the opening is now expected in the first half of 2029 — about a year later than originally planned — as the project must still clear a traffic impact assessment, revisions to the implementation and development plans, and the registration and approval process for a large-scale retail store.

Developer Seonwol Hi-Park Valley and Costco Korea signed a land purchase agreement for the Suncheon site in April, during the tenure of former Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu, with an initial target of opening in the first half of 2028. That target has since been revised to the first half of 2029 to account for the remaining licensing and permit procedures.

Costco, the American warehouse-style discount retailer, is simultaneously pursuing openings in Iksan in North Jeolla Province and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province.

The combined population of Suncheon, Yeosu and Gwangyang stands at 700,000, and the broader eastern South Jeolla region — including the nearby counties of Gurye, Gokseong, Boseong and Goheung-gun — reaches 850,000. Adding the Jirisan area communities of Namwon and Sunchang, along with Namhae and Hadong-gun across the Seomjin River, the total trade area covers roughly 1.1 million people.

As Costco's entry into the Seonwol district — a 990,000-square-meter development — becomes more concrete, Suncheon launched the Costco Suncheon Store Entry Local Business Cooperation Council on Tuesday at the city hall conference room, holding its inaugural meeting.

The city plans to continue discussions with Costco based on input from local merchants, with the aim of signing a mutual cooperation agreement next year and incorporating its terms into a regional cooperation plan.

Mayor Son Hun-mo said the city's administration would maintain continuity despite the change in leadership. "I will actively reflect the opinions of the cooperation council members so that we can develop practical coexistence measures that protect the livelihoods of local merchants," he said.


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