garlic business, Lee Sang Gu
wrapping paper business, Byun Jae Soo
By Choi Byung-cheon
Kyungju, July 18 (World Korean News)
"Kimchi is really difficult to store and easy to spoil. Isn't it inappropriate as an export item?"
"What motivated you to enter the garlic distribution industry?"
"What are the important points when conducting transactions with major companies like CJ and LG Chemical?"
On the afternoon of July 5th, in the conference room of Hwarang Village in Gyeongju, there was a meeting between three representatives of a medium-sized company and 19 students from the 'World Korean Scholarship' program.
The attending representatives of the medium-sized company were Kim Jong Soo, CEO of 'Well-Fermented Kimchi' brand company(More Co., Ltd.), which exports Kimchi to countries like Japan and the United States, Lee Sang Gu the CEO of Youngseong-Nongsan(an Agricultural corporation), a major player in peeled garlic distribution in Korea, and Byeon Jae Soo, CEO of Geoseong P&P, a company that supplies packaging materials to major corporations such as 'CJ' and 'LG Household & Health Care'. This meeting is one of the Korean historical and cultural industry tour programs planned for the '2023 WorldKorean Scholarship Students'.
The WorldKorean Scholarship Association, headed by Chairman Seung Eun Ho, selected 19 students of overseas Koreans studying at universities in Korea as 'World Korean Scholarship Students.' The selected students were all born and raised in 12 different countries. The World Korean Scholarship Association managed a tour of Korean history and culture for five days and four nights from July 3rd to July 7th with 19 selected World Korean Scholarship students. The schedule was to return to Seoul via Seoul, Sejong, Gongju, Buyeo, Iksan, Jeonju, Gyeongju, Pohang, Andong, and Danyang.
Mr. Kim Jong Soo, CEO of More Co., Ltd. said, "Kimchi exports started as our workers went abroad. However, at first, the Kimchi was frozen, then simply packaged and sent overseas. Container-based exports started just around 1987. The first export destination was Japan, and our company was at the forefront. At that time, it was before large corporations such as CJ participated in Kimchi exports."
Mr. Kim Jong Soo started his Kimchi business after graduating from university. He said, "The Kimchi business has had a significant impact on increasing the income of farmers in Korea. Kimchi is made using various ingredients such as cabbage, chili pepper, garlic, and green onion. Therefore, when we export Kimchi, it also has a positive effect on increasing the income of farmers who cultivate the crops used as Kimchi ingredients." On November 22, 2020, the first 'Kimchi Day' was established. During the first 'Kimchi Day' event, Mr. Kim Moa, the CEO of Moah Co., Ltd. received the Presidential Award.
Mr. Kim said, "Currently, our company exports Kimchi to many countries around the world, including Japan, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Middle East."
Mr. Lee Sang Gu, the CEO of Youngseong-Nongsan, Agricultural corporation, introduced himself as someone who has been involved in the garlic distribution business for over 30 years. Furthermore, he introduced the method of marking numbers by hand during auctions. About 30 years ago, one of Mr. Lee Sang Gu's friend developed a garlic peeling machine. Following that, Mr. Lee Sang Gu purchased the patent rights from his friend and started his garlic business. He said that through numerous trials and errors in the garlic business, he has now grown the company solidly and stably. Mr. Lee mentioned that he also participated in the Kaesong Industrial Complex business cooperation. And he hired about 3,000 North Korean workers in his garlic distribution business. Through this, he was able to occupy 20% of the domestic garlic distribution market.
Lastly, Mr, Byun Jae Soo is the CEO of Geoseong P&P, a plastic film manufacturing company in Yungcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The company mainly supplies packaging films for food and consumer goods. He explained the function of packaging materials, saying, "Transactions in packaging materials are conducted through B2B (Business-to-Business)." He noted that the packaging must ensure that the product is intact and undamaged by the time it reaches the consumer. In addition, products need to be easy to package, remain reasonably priced compared to the product itself, and have an attractive design that draws consumers’ attention. Mr. Byun mentioned, "To engage in transactions with large corporations, it is essential to have good quality and competitive prices." He also emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent quality. Furthermore, he stated, "It is crucial to provide a comfortable working environment for employees and offer generous salaries. This is necessary for the stable operation of the company." He also shared his own insights and know-how in managing a business.
After the meeting, the 19 scholarship students and entrepreneurs went to a famous samgyeopsal restaurant in Gyeongju and enjoyed dinner together. Then, they went on a night tour of Gyeongju, visiting Donggung Palace, Wolji Pond, Wolseong, and Cheomseongdae.
