| Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Chung Hwang-keun speaks during an interview with The Korea Times, Feb. 9. Photo by Choi Won-suk |
By Lee Kyung-min
Korea will be able to establish a strong presence in the global high-end dining industry, propelled by the growing international influence of noted cultural and entertainment figures, according to the country's top agriculture policymaker.
In a recent interview with The Korea Times, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Chung Hwang-keun said the popularity and power of hallyu, or the Korean wave, will elevate the status of Korean dining to a premium level similar to or surpassing that of Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and redefine Korea's brand in the years to come.
The reoriented perception in turn will, in his view, accelerate exports of locally made agricultural produce and farming equipment and services, as a result of a targeted policy drive centering on sustainable growth.
“Korean restaurants are increasingly associated with healthy ingredients and premium dining,” Chung told The Korea Times, Feb. 9.
In global cities like New York and Paris, Korean restaurants are replacing Japanese and Chinese restaurants. The food is expensive and getting a table is nearly impossible without reservations.
Of eight Korean restaurants to receive a plaque from the ministry, New York and Paris each have three and the remaining two are in Tokyo.
“The eight premium Korean restaurants will each receive a plaque that has my name and position inscribed as well as two certificates, one in the local language and the other in Korean. That will become a major point of attraction for customers,” he said.
They will have to meet 21 requirements, including one that says 60 percent of their menu items must be Korean, with ingredients imported from Korea.
The growing presence and number of Korean restaurants will likely push up the exports of locally made agricultural produce, including rice.
“Korea's exports of agricultural products have been robust in Europe, Southeast Asia and South America, whereas those in China and Russia are recovering from a period of slowdown.”
Exports should not be limited to agricultural produce, he stressed, but also include small farming equipment, veterinary medicine and smart farming systems.
Tractors are among the farming equipment high in demand in developing countries with significant growth potential in their agricultural markets and related sectors, providing a rare opportunity to strengthen the country's export drive to generate revenue and fine-tune it into a growth driver.
“The economy is facing a major headwind this year,” the minister said. “Exports of agricultural products should be accelerated for a sustained period of time. The lingering issue of oversaturation in local markets will be resolved and Korea's dining culture will gain a new welcoming interpretation, not to mention job creation effects. President Yoon Suk Yeol and I will try our best.”
Korea registered exports of agricultural and livestock products worth $8.8 billion (11.1 trillion won) last year, according to the ministry. The all-time-high figure was a gradual increase from $6.9 billion in 2018.