North Korean product chain stores to open next January

A chain of stores specializing in North Korean products, the first of its kind in the Korean market, will open as early as next January.

Jang Saeng Co., which has specialized in the sale of North Korean products since 1994, will participate in the 2000 Franchise Exhibition to be held at the Samsong-dong COEX from Dec. 3 and will at the same time try to gather investors for its effort to open a chain store named "North Korean Village."

The company has been preparing for the chain¡¯s launch for 3 months and will begin offering chain stores next month. A chain of 200 stores specializing in the sale of North Korean products may enter the market as early as next January.

Products to be sold at the chain stores include 40 types of spirits, 50 varieties of agricultural items, mushroom wine and other special products.

jjlee@donga.com