KCCI Collects Public Opinions on 'Korean Food Industrialization' Through Communication Platform

Prizes Provided for Selected Outstanding Ideas

The ceremony commemorating Commerce and Industry Day was held on the 31st at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] "How about selling the representative Korean dish ‘ssam’ in single units? It can be conveniently eaten in one bite, and the pronunciation of ‘ssam’ might sound fun to foreigners. If customers can choose the ssam vegetables, ingredients, and sauces according to their taste, wouldn’t that provide not only diverse flavors and nutrition but also visual appeal?"

"Watching the Sikja Hwaedam broadcast, it seems essential to secure data collected directly from overseas Korean restaurants.

How about creating a systematic survey to track consumption data (menu, average spending per customer, visit frequency, etc.) of foreigners visiting Korean restaurants and distributing it to overseas restaurants?"

Brilliant ideas from ordinary citizens who love Korean food are pouring in. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced on the 20th that it will receive citizens’ ‘Korean Food Industrialization Ideas’ regarding topics discussed on the ‘Sikja Hwaedam’ program aired over the past two months.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the KCCI, said at the finale of the ‘National Development Project: Sikja Hwaedam’ on the same day, "Korean food industrialization is not something that can be done alone," adding, "If you watch the broadcast and share your ideas directly, we can join forces to reach the goal of Korean food industrialization faster." The intention is for citizens to participate directly as Sikja members by submitting ideas and joining the Korean food industrialization effort.

The theme of this year’s National Development Project is Korean food industrialization. While last year’s project broadly gathered ideas for Korea’s economic and social development regardless of theme, this year focuses on finding solutions for the development of the Korean food industry.

Chairman Choi said on the broadcast, "To complete Korean food industrialization, collaboration must begin through Sikja Hwaedam and find an action plan as the next step," reflecting his determination to listen to more voices through public communication and find ways to foster the Korean food industry.

Professor Jang Su-cheong of Purdue University evaluated, "Korean food is our people’s cuisine, and each person’s Korean food-related story can be the foundation for Korean food industrialization. Especially, ideas reflecting the direct experience of citizens with food and beverage and food ingredient businesses will help establish concrete action plans." He added, "Also, to enable more people worldwide to experience Korean food through industrialization, localization ideas from overseas Koreans and international students are needed."

The idea submission process is simple. Citizens who wish to participate can write a brief response about the current status of Korean food industrialization and an idea about one A4 page long through the KCCI communication platform. When proposing an idea, include the idea title, reason for proposal, content, and expected effects.

This idea proposal opportunity is open not only to citizens who love Korean food but also to foreigners and companies. The submission deadline is the 14th of next month, and selected outstanding ideas will receive prizes.

The KCCI plans to identify public awareness and issues regarding Korean food industrialization through surveys and discover project ideas to be promoted at the private sector level through citizen idea proposals. Furthermore, even after the submission period ends, the idea proposal window will remain open so that anyone wishing to submit opinions can freely propose ideas.

Jo Young-jun, Director of Sustainable Management at KCCI, said, "The Sikja Hwaedam broadcast program has raised public awareness of the importance and necessity of industrializing Korean food," adding, "If citizens participate as Sikja members and submit brilliant ideas for Korean food industrialization, the KCCI and companies will look for ways to implement those ideas."

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