Donghaeng Festival until the 28th
Outstanding Products Suitable for Family Month Highlighted
The Donghaeng Festival, the largest event in South Korea promoting the consumption of products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners, has achieved sales of 600 billion KRW in just three weeks. The Donghaeng Festival is an event involving the government, local governments, and the private sector, held nationwide in 14 regions and online from the 1st to the 28th of this month. A total of 22,000 small business owners and SMEs are participating. Various high-quality products are available at reasonable prices, and products that allow families to visit the festival site and express gratitude in celebration of Family Month have attracted attention.
Citizens are participating in the opening ceremony of the Donghaeng Festival held on the 1st in Haeundae-gu, Busan. [Photo by Ministry of SMEs and Startups]
Among the SMEs that participated in this Donghaeng Festival and opened new sales channels, Goryeohan drew attention by presenting Gyeongok Yanggaeng based on traditional Korean medicine. This product is a type of yanggaeng made using Gyeongokgo, a traditional herbal prescription. It was developed as a convenient-to-eat food while preserving its efficacy. It is explained that it can be used as a healthy snack for the whole family or easily enjoyed during hiking or exercise.
Choi Gi-yeo, CEO of Goryeohan, said, "Since the product is somewhat unfamiliar, we had difficulties in promotion, but we are receiving a lot of help through participation in the Donghaeng Festival." He added, "Based on this, we expect to increase trust when exporting the product overseas." This product, which can be purchased at a low price during the Donghaeng Festival, is available on online shopping malls such as Coupang and Wemakeprice. It can also be purchased at the Happy Department Store in Mokdong, Seoul, operated by the Small and Medium Business Distribution Center.
Moduyeoneun Sesang is selling handmade direct-fire grilled pork belly home meal replacements (HMR) at the Donghaeng Festival. The meat is grilled over direct fire at temperatures above 700°C, imparting a charcoal flavor, and is enhanced with popular sauces. As a frozen product, it can be easily cooked using a microwave or frying pan. Oh Jae-gyun, CEO of Moduyeoneun Sesang with 32 years of experience in restaurant cooking, said, "You can quickly and conveniently cook pork belly anywhere, whether at home, camping sites, or pensions." Moduyeoneun Sesang is participating in this Donghaeng Festival through its own online mall and Smart Store.
Munmu, a company engaged in ginseng farming for three generations, is also gaining popularity with its red ginseng extract through the Donghaeng Festival. The red ginseng is made by steaming and drying fresh ginseng produced in the Sobaeksan region. Kim Il-su, director of Munmu, introduced the background of product development, saying, "Feeling the limitations in selling ginseng products, we started selling red ginseng extract made by steaming fresh ginseng."
Munmu’s red ginseng concentrate is receiving positive responses overseas in countries such as Vietnam and Guatemala. It has also been supplied to various companies and financial institutions, including Samsung Life Insurance, Industrial Bank of Korea, and the National Forest Healing Center. Munmu sells red ginseng concentrate on Yeongju Jangnal, Yeongju City's excellent agricultural products site, and Saiseo, Gyeongsangbuk-do's excellent agricultural products site. Munmu also operates a store in Yeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Director Kim said, "Sales have increased by about 10% compared to previous years through this Donghaeng Festival," adding, "We plan to participate in the Donghaeng Festival again next year."
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