Naju City Accepts Applications for 'Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling System' Certification Until September

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Jeollanam-do Naju City (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 2nd that it is accepting applications for the ‘Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling System’ certification targeting local restaurants, government offices, schools, hospitals, etc. that handle ‘100% domestic kimchi’ until the end of September.

This system was first introduced nationwide through the launch of the Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling Committee formed in April by Jeollanam-do together with five private organizations: the Korea Kimchi Association, Korea Foodservice Industry Association, Korea Foodservice Central Association, Korea Franchise Industry Association, and Korea Korean Food Association.

The background for its introduction is that recent controversies over the international standardization of China’s pickled food ‘Paochai’ and the spread of videos showing ‘naked pickling of Chinese kimchi’ have raised national interest in food hygiene and safety issues, increasing consumer demand for accurate origin labeling.

The Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling Committee plans to widely promote the excellence of clean Jeonnam kimchi, which can be consumed with confidence, along with recovering the domestic market for Korean kimchi, which has been stagnant due to the increase in imported kimchi, through the expansion of this system.

The committee produces and supports official certification marks through review and deliberation of applicant businesses that receive supply from manufacturers and distributors producing kimchi made from 100% domestic ingredients or that manufacture and use it directly.

To apply for certification, applicants must submit the designated application form, domestic kimchi supply and sales contract (if purchased externally), domestic ingredient purchase details (if manufactured directly), photos of the business exterior, and menu photos to the administrative welfare center of the jurisdictional eup/myeon/dong where the business is located.

The certification is valid for one year from the date of designation and can be re-designated if the conditions are met after expiration.

The city aims to certify 275 locations by September and has received 139 certification applications as of this month, about 50% of the target.

In addition, the city is accelerating efforts to achieve results by using various promotional media such as system guidance for each eup/myeon/dong and the Korea Foodservice Central Association Naju branch, banners on major restaurant streets, SNS, and community newsletters.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “We will actively take the lead in spreading the Domestic Kimchi Voluntary Labeling System to restore the status of the kimchi homeland, revitalize the domestic market, and promote the consumption of local agricultural products,” adding, “We ask for the interest and participation of business owners so that both producers and consumers are protected and Jeonnam kimchi can establish itself as the world’s highest quality brand.”

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