Sinan-gun Cancels Summer Signature Health Food Festival 'Mineo'

In August, the Croaker Festival was held on Imjado Island in Sinan County. (Photo by Sinan County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Ki-woon] Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Park Woo-ryang) announced on the 17th that the ‘Sinan Island Croaker Festival,’ scheduled to be held next month on Imjado Island, has been canceled to practice social distancing aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the local community.

Croaker is a representative summer seafood, most delicious in summer before the spawning season. The soup is commonly enjoyed as a substitute for health-boosting dog meat soup during the hottest days of summer (Boknal). In traditional Korean medicine, croaker is described as sweet in taste and warm in nature, and has long been used in spring and summer to invigorate the energy of the internal organs that cool down and to strengthen bones.

Additionally, it is known for its quick digestion and absorption, making it especially effective for children's growth and development and for the health recovery of elderly patients. The swim bladder of croaker is used as a tonic and as an ingredient in high-end fish dishes.

Currently, about 140 fishing vessels operate croaker fishing in Sinan-gun, with an annual average catch of approximately 500 tons. Most of the catch is auctioned and sold at the Songdo Auction Market of the Sinan Fisheries Cooperative branch, generating auction sales of 8.3 billion KRW last year.

A Sinan-gun official said, “It is regrettable to cancel the Sinan Croaker Festival, famous as a summer health food, due to COVID-19, disappointing gourmets who look forward to croaker raised in the clean sea rich in germanium and minerals. We will prepare more thoroughly next year to make it up to everyone.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.