Govt. to grow K-food industry to W300tr by 2027

A promotional photo for K-food shows the Cote Korean Steakhouse, which has locations in the US and Singapore. (Agriculture Ministry)

The South Korean government aims to propel the K-food industry to reach 300 trillion won ($227 billion) worldwide by 2027, responding to the burgeoning global appetite for Korean cuisine. The vision was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, during an emergency economic ministers meeting Friday.

The target signifies a doubling from the 2021 figure of 152 trillion won, with the number of overseas Korean restaurants set to increase to 15,000 globally, up from 9,923 in 2020.

To accomplish the objectives, the ministry unveiled specific plans to bolster the professionalism of Korean food personnel.

Key initiatives include enabling current food industry workers to enroll in culinary arts education programs, ramping up educational support from 250 to 600 by 2027, facilitating internships for aspiring chefs at Michelin-starred Korean restaurants, and refining menus within the Korean cuisine cooking certification program, in collaboration with relevant ministries.

Additionally, the ministry plans to establish regular Korean cooking courses at five renowned overseas culinary schools by 2027. Under the key phrase "Adventurous Table," 100 Korean food recipes will be digitized, complemented by diverse content such as Korean traditional drinks that pair well with each cuisine.

As a means to bolster tourism through culinary experiences, 15 “K-gastronomic belts" will be formed by 2027, themed around the fermentation culture of Korean food, as well as its seasonal dishes.

Meanwhile, the the city of Seoul is set to host the global awards ceremony for Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2024 from March 24 to 26, marking the event's debut here. The occasion will gather gastronomers and chefs from around the world, alongside conferences spotlighting Korean cuisine.

"Leveraging the K-culture phenomenon, we will implement diverse policy measures to position the Korean food industry as a leading force in global trends," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said.

By Kim Hae-yeon(hykim@heraldcorp.com)