The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) held a meeting to share successful cases of expanding into overseas markets. This gathering took place at the Chungju Yukgeori Somunnam Dumplings in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, where discussions on government support directions were held.
The meeting aimed to listen to successful cases and challenges as traditional market foods gain competitiveness in overseas markets, in order to check practical policy support directions.
From the traditional market, Lee Ji-eun, CEO of Yukgeori Somunnam Dumplings, and Park Yu-deok, CEO of Alley Makgeolli, shared their insights on topics like opening overseas sales channels, local consumer reactions, and difficulties in export and distribution processes.
Lee explained how the local brand expanded into a global K-Food model, emphasizing that gradual global expansion is possible through standardization, diversified distribution, and export roadmap building. She highlighted the strengths of young merchants in content planning and brand storytelling as key elements enhancing the overseas competitiveness of traditional market products.
Park shared the makgeolli production process using local agricultural products in traditional markets and his startup story, introducing traditional liquor’s potential as a tourism-specialized product and its market validation process.
In the ensuing open discussion, policy directions for government support to expand K-Food’s overseas presence were discussed.
Lee Byung-kwon, the 2nd Vice Minister of MSS, stated, “Traditional markets are the starting point of K-Food, which has accumulated taste and stories over time. The government will continue to provide tailored support based on successful cases in the field so that traditional market K-Food can maintain competitiveness in the global market.”