First Lady Joins in ‘Hansik’ Globalization Campaign
Korea Tims
 First lady Kim Yoon-ok speaks at a seminar on local food globalization at the Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times |
First lady Kim Yoon-ok is taking up a leading role in the campaign to globalize Korean food, “hansik.”
“It is our mission to let the world have a chance to taste and appreciate Korean food,” she said at a seminar on Korean cuisine’s globalization at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul, Tuesday.
Kim said, “Kimchi is designated among the world’s top five healthy foods. The World Health Organization (WHO) takes Korean food as an example of healthful cuisine, highlighting the `hidden value’ of our food.”
“It is regretful that the world doesn’t have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from our indigenous cuisine,” she added.
She stressed the importance of helping non-Koreans gain familiarity with a variety of Korean food and making it better to cater to their tastes. “Efforts to upgrade the level of food, dining and tourism industries will be made as part of our food globalization effort.”
Chang Tae-pyong, minister of food, agriculture and fisheries, also vowed that he will spare no effort to bring science and systems to domestic food making traditions, and to modernize the local farming and fishing industries.
In a keynote speech, Chang, the “preacher of hansik globalization,” said, “Our food is healthy, fit for the age of well-being consciousness and the essence of our traditions.”
“Hansik is the best we can offer to the world,” Chang said.
Kwak Seung-jun, senior secretary for national policy planning, highlighted the enormous potential of Korean food, which he said is appreciated by foreign food experts.
“But it must be noted that few five-star hotels maintain Korean restaurants,” he said
The seminar was co-sponsored by Cheong Wa Dae and the food ministry, drawing a large field of food experts from all over the world.
On the eve of the seminar, the food ministry announced a package of steps to include hansik classes in renowned cooking schools.