"Humbled Korean Kimchi: What's Going On? ... China Establishes 'Kimchi International Standard'"

China established its kimchi manufacturing method in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) regulations on the 24th, reported China Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao). Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] On the 24th, China established its kimchi manufacturing method according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) regulations, reported the Chinese Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao). At the same time, it published a report stating that "the humiliated kimchi origin country, South Korea, is enraged."

The Chinese Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao) on the 29th cited a report from the 'China Market Supervision News,' which specializes in managing and supervising the Chinese market, dated the 26th, saying, "Six food standards for the kimchi industry that meet ISO criteria have been approved," and added, "This international standard was led and established by China, with the Market Supervision Administration of Meishan City, Sichuan Province, taking responsibility for achieving this result."

ISO is an international organization established in 1947 to facilitate international exchange of products and services. Although it is not an official customs organization, it has 165 member countries, and China is a permanent member of ISO's board.

According to the report, China, led by Meishan City in Sichuan Province, which accounts for more than half of the domestic kimchi industry, began promoting the establishment of international standards for the kimchi industry in April 2017. The agenda for "establishing international standards for kimchi" was officially promoted from June last year. After about 1 year and 5 months, it was created under the name "ISO 24220 Kimchi Specification and Test Methods International Standard." Five ISO member countries, including China, Turkey, Serbia, India, and Iran, participated in this process.

Finally, on the 24th, it was announced that this international standard was officially approved by ISO after a two-month voting process, with the Global Times explaining, "China's kimchi industry has become the standard in the international kimchi market."

The Global Times also boasted, "Our kimchi international standard is recognized worldwide," and reported, "Korean experts did not participate in the establishment of this international standard," adding, "Korean media are angry about this result."

Meanwhile, the newly established international standard is designated as paocai, not kimchi.

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