Punggi Ginseng Continuing Joseon-Era Traditions... A Green Light for Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Listing

Yeongju City Conducts On-Site Inspection with Advisory Committee and Experts
Comprehensive Evaluation of Centuries-Old Cultivation Traditions and Agricultural Landscape

The tradition of cultivating Punggi ginseng, which has continued since the Joseon Dynasty, has taken a step closer to being listed as a Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage.

On August 12, Yeongju City announced that an on-site inspection had been conducted in the areas of Punggi-eup and Dansan-myeon as part of the process to designate "Punggi Ginseng Agriculture" as a Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage.

In the meeting room of Punggi Ginseng Agricultural Cooperative, the supplementary plan for Punggi ginseng agriculture and the nationally important agricultural heritage is being presented. Provided by Yeongju City

This inspection was a follow-up to the first advisory committee meeting held on July 9, with participation from advisory committee members of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and relevant experts.

The participants comprehensively evaluated the traditional ginseng cultivation techniques, agricultural landscape, and the connection with the local community that have been passed down for centuries in the Gaesamgak area of Punggi-eup and the Sacheon-ri area of Dansan-myeon. After the on-site inspection, a discussion session was held in the meeting room of the Punggi Ginseng Agricultural Cooperative, where local residents, producer groups, and related organizations gathered to share their views on the historical value of Punggi ginseng agriculture and the need for its preservation.

Punggi ginseng is a representative specialty product of Korea, produced in the Yeongju region, which offers an optimal climate and soil for cultivation. It is grown based on long-standing techniques and traditions. The city expects that this listing initiative will lead to national recognition of the excellence and sustainability of Punggi ginseng, providing an opportunity for its succession and further development for future generations.

An official from Yeongju City stated, "If listed, it will lay the foundation for the simultaneous development of local agriculture, culture, and tourism," and added, "We will do our utmost to preserve and pass down this valuable agricultural heritage together with local residents."

Following a value discovery research project in 2024, Yeongju City conducted a biodiversity survey and a designation promotion study this year, and submitted the application for listing to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on May 26.

The city plans to prepare supplementary materials based on the results of the first advisory committee and this on-site inspection, and will finalize the listing decision through a second advisory committee meeting and the final review by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

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