'Gochang Subak' Registered as Geographical Indication Agricultural Product... "Establishing Itself as a Protected Specialty Product"

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service announced on the 23rd that 'Gochang Watermelon' was registered as Geographical Indication Agricultural Product No. 116 as of the 20th.

Geographical indication was introduced in July 1999 as a system to indicate that a product was produced and processed in a region recognized for its quality, reputation (historical significance and fame), and other characteristics. It is decided through the review of the Geographical Indication Subcommittee, and currently, a total of 193 cases are registered, including agricultural and livestock products (including processed goods), forest products, and marine products.

An official from the NAQS explained, "With this geographical indication registration, Gochang Watermelon has established itself as a specialty product protected by the registered name. Gochang Watermelon was recognized as meeting the registration requirements for geographical indication due to its historical significance, starting production of about 300 tons in the late 1960s, full-scale cultivation and production through the development of hillsides in the 1970s, and its fame as a representative watermelon production area in Korea."

Additionally, Gochang Watermelon was approved for geographical indication registration due to geographical factors such as long sunlight hours, warm temperature characteristics, and well-drained soil, as well as the registered organization's (Gochang County Watermelon Association) well-equipped facilities including non-destructive sugar content sorters, weight measuring devices, and packaging equipment to comply with internal quality standards such as the sugar content standard (11 Brix or higher) through greenhouse cultivation, along with a thorough quality management plan.

Going forward, the NAQS plans to periodically inspect compliance with internal quality standards and quality management plans to produce excellent geographical indication products, and support the independence of newly registered organizations through management of the geographical indication system and corporate operation consulting.

Park Sung-woo, head of the NAQS, stated, "We will strengthen promotion to enhance consumer awareness of geographical indication products, and do our best to protect consumers by improving the quality of geographical indication products through thorough post-management."