갈수록 커지는 대한민국 '공유주방' 시장... 전망은?

A growing number of Koreans are getting on board with the concept of "shared kitchens."
Not for their homes, but for business.
Multiple food businesses can use them on an assigned schedule, which helps cut costs for those just starting out.
Our Ko Roon-hee met with some people involved in this industry.
This is WECOOK..., a shared kitchen platform service for food and beverage businesses.
At this particular branch in Seoul's Jongno-gu District, there are around 1-hundred businesses sharing an 'open kitchen'.
Users pay hourly or monthly to rent spaces for cooking... and all kitchen tools and equipment such as ovens are provided.
This place allows people to start their own business, without having a big outlay from the start.
"It's difficult to start or manage a restaurant business in Korea...because rent and wages have been rising. We want people to concentrate on cooking and WECOOK provides the infrastructure and platform they need."
"'Shared commercial kitchens' aren't just about cooking or selling food. Many businesses provide support for companies such as branding and marketing."
A chef who works at 'MONTHLY KITCHEN', which mainly relies on deliveries, says he is making the most out of the unique experience.
"Many businesses in shared kitchens aren't experienced in terms of marketing. But they can get help from experts here. Also, a community is formed in this space...and it creates a synergy effect."
So, what is the future like for the shared kitchen industry in Korea?
Although the Korean government is working hard towards deregulation..., there are some laws that hinder expansion.
For instance, under the Food Sanitation Act, multiple business operators cannot register their businesses in one kitchen.
So many participating firms must rely on platforms like WECOOK for registration...which means less independence in running businesses.
However, the industry itself is likely to grow...because Korea is known for its wide array of delivery services.
There are many reasons behind this growth, but one of the biggest is the spike in 1-person households.
As of 2017, there were more than 5-point-6 million 1-person households in South Korea ... and this accounts for almost 30 percent of the total.
The number is expected to increase...which means more people delivering food from shared kitchens.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.