Wando-gun Holds Completion Ceremony for Hwangchil Convergence Center and Processing Factory

Published 17 Jun.2024 09:25(KST)

Processing, Distribution, Shipment of Hwangchil and Creation of Various Hwangchil Experience Healing Spaces

Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 17th that it held the completion ceremony for the ‘Wando Hwangchil Convergence Center and Processing Factory’ on the 14th to promote the excellence of Wando Hwangchil.

The Wando Hwangchil Convergence Center and Processing Factory was established on a 4,798㎡ site in Songgok-ri, Sinji-myeon (216 Sinji-ro) with a total project cost of 3 billion KRW after being selected in 2020 for the local industry promotion project led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The factory has established a Hwangchil processing, distribution, and shipment system, while the center is planned to be used for Hwangchil sales and marketing, as well as a place for farmer education. In the future, a Hwangchil forest trail and a dog playground will also be created.

Wando Hwangchil Convergence Center and Processing Factory Exterior [Photo by Wando-gun]

The opening ceremony was attended by about 200 people including Shin Woo-cheol, the governor of Wando-gun, Heo Gung-hee, chairman of the Wando-gun Council, provincial council members Shin Ui-jun and Lee Cheol, county council members, heads of institutions and social organizations, and farmers. The event included a project progress report, presentation of appreciation plaques, and a tour of the center.

After the ceremony, attendees experienced Hwangchil healing programs such as making Hwangchil scent cocktails, Hwangchil seedling gardening classes, and healing picnics.

The Wando Hwangchil Convergence Center and Processing Factory is expected to become a new healing space where visitors can experience not only Hwangchil processing, distribution, and shipment but also various Hwangchil products and foods.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “I am honored that a facility to promote the excellence of Hwangchil has been completed in our county, which produces the highest quality Hwangchil in the country. The county will continue to strengthen the competitiveness of the Hwangchil industry through the creation of specialized Hwangchil forests, product development, distribution, and marketing.”

Lee Kyung-dong, chairman of the Wando-gun Forestry Cooperative, stated, “I hope the center will be reborn as a healing space where various Hwangchil products can be experienced and contribute to the revitalization of Wando’s healing industry.”

Meanwhile, Wando is the main production area of Hwangchil, with about 200,000 natural Hwangchil trees growing in the area around Sangwangbong Peak.

In 2018, to differentiate Wando Hwangchil, it was registered with the ‘Geographical Indication Certification Mark’ proving that the origin of the Hwangchil trees and leaves is Wando. Various products using Hwangchil as raw material have also been developed, including diffusers, Hwangchil leaf tea, concentrates, salt, grilled short rib patties, food, and experience products.