SEOUL - The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of South Korea announced its plans to host a traditional liquor festival in Seoul this week. This event is part of the country's efforts to boost local consumption and promote exports of traditional Korean liquors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Sool Grand Festival 2023 is set to begin on Friday and will run for three days. Vice Agricultural Minister Han Hoon expressed hope that the festival will serve as an opportunity to expand the consumption of traditional liquors and the culture surrounding them. The ministry's initiative comes against the backdrop of a growing market for traditional liquor, which reached 162.9 billion won (US$125.8 million) in 2022, a significant increase from 94.1 billion won in 2021.
The festival also aligns with the increasing trend in exports of these products, which rose to $24.6 million in 2022, marking a 40 percent increase from the $17.6 million recorded in 2018. The event aims to showcase the diversity and quality of Korean traditional liquors, fostering greater appreciation and demand both domestically and internationally.