Visitors browse exhibitions on traditional Korean food culture and K-food at the K-food pavilion set up at BEXCO in Busan. [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs]
Visitors browse exhibitions on traditional Korean food culture and K-food at the K-food pavilion set up at BEXCO in Busan. [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs]

South Korea is using the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session as an opportunity to promote its traditional food culture — including kimjang and jang-making — and K-food to the world.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Tuesday it is operating a K-food pavilion in connection with the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which runs Monday through July 29 at BEXCO in Busan. The pavilion aims to introduce the traditions of Korean food culture and the competitiveness of K-food to delegations from around the world and to domestic and international visitors.

Organized under the theme "K-food: Connecting Tradition to the Future, Capturing Hearts Around the World," the pavilion is divided into three zones: traditional food culture, modern heritage and global friendship.

The traditional food culture zone centers on "kimchi and kimjang culture" and "jang-making culture," both inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, to introduce Korea's distinctive culinary traditions. The zone screens videos documenting the kimjang and jang-making processes and displays items such as earthenware jars and traditional distilling equipment. A jang-making simulation game is also available, allowing visitors to experience Korean fermented foods firsthand.

The modern heritage zone introduces the Republic of Korea Food Artisan system and displays traditional foods — including fermented pastes, kimchi, traditional liquor and Korean confections — made by designated food artisans. Videos showing the artisans' manufacturing processes and activities highlight the excellence of Korea's traditional foods and the craftsmanship behind them.

The global friendship zone showcases K-food exports destined for markets around the world. On display are leading global K-food products — ramyun, beverages and street food — alongside export-focused items including fermented foods, home meal replacements, and halal- and vegan-certified products, all aimed at demonstrating K-food's competitiveness.

Visitor participation events are also on offer. Visitors who complete a survey via QR code after touring the pavilion will receive traditional foods such as Korean confections and sikhye, as well as export-ready K-food products including pear juice drinks and fruit-flavored milk.

Jeong Gyeong-seok, the ministry's director general for food industry policy, said the session — the first UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting held in South Korea — presented a valuable chance to introduce the traditions and excellence of K-food to delegations and visitors from around the world. "We will actively promote the appeal of K-food, which has won over palates globally while carrying on its traditions, and will spare no effort in supporting the acceleration of its entry into global markets," he said.


adastra@heraldcorp.com