Naju-Shinan-Mokpo Collaborate for 'Hongeo UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage' Registration

Published 13 Jun.2024 14:41(KST)

Following Naju City and Sinan County in Jeollanam-do, Mokpo City is also joining efforts to systematically preserve and globalize the fermented skate (hongeo) food culture.

On the 13th, according to Naju City, Naju, Sinan, and Mokpo signed a mutual business agreement at the Muan Seungdal Culture and Arts Center to register the "Fermented Skate Food Culture" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Naju City and Sinan County had previously signed this agreement in June 2023.

Naju City, Sinan County, and Mokpo City signed a mutual business agreement on the 13th to register "Hongeo" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
[Photo by Naju City]

Sinan County, the production site of the traditional local dish "fermented skate," which represents the festive table of the southern region, and Naju City, the home of the 600-year-old tradition of the art of fermentation known as "aged fermented skate," have joined forces to globalize the fermented skate food culture.

Joining them is Mokpo City, recognized as a distribution hub for fermented skate.

The "Mokpo Comprehensive Fisheries Market Hongeo Street," located along the coast in Dongmyeong-dong, Mokpo City, is a place specializing in fermented skate, similar to the Hongeo Street in Yeri Port, Heuksando, Sinan, and the Hongeo Street in Yeongsanpo, Naju.

In particular, it hosts the largest number of fermented skate distribution stores nationwide, leading efforts alongside Naju and Sinan to preserve the historical tradition of fermented skate, inherit its unique food culture, and promote it nationwide.

The signing ceremony, held prior to the 12th regular meeting of the Jeonnam Mayors and County Governors Council, was attended by Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju; Park Woo-ryang, Governor of Sinan; and Park Hong-ryul, Mayor of Mokpo.

The three local governments agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation to achieve the final goal of registering the fermented skate food culture as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by conducting historical and academic value research, sharing data and projects for promoting designated cultural properties, and more.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, "Naju, Sinan, and Mokpo are local governments that produce, sell, and consume the most fermented skate, sharing the commonality of inheriting the tradition and identity of fermented skate, a representative food culture of the southern region. The three local governments will unite their efforts to do their best to globalize fermented skate cuisine through its registration as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."