"Year-Round Applications Accepted...
Creating a Safe Dining Environment"
On June 19, Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Cho Sangrae) announced that it will be accepting applications throughout the year for new restaurants to participate in the Safe Restaurant program in 2025, as part of efforts to create a safer dining environment.
The Safe Restaurant program is a certification system overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Although it was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now operated to prepare for potential infectious diseases and to provide a dining environment where residents can dine with peace of mind.
Eligible applicants are restaurants within Gokseong County that serve regular meals, including general and rest-area restaurants. Establishments such as cafes and fast food outlets, which do not align with the shared dining concept, are excluded.
The Safe Restaurant program focuses on establishing a culture of shared dining and hygienic management of utensils. To be designated as a Safe Restaurant, establishments must meet two mandatory requirements: providing shared dining utensils and ensuring hygienic management of chopsticks and spoons.
Once designated as a Safe Restaurant, a certification sticker will be displayed at the restaurant entrance. In addition, the Gokseong County hygiene team will provide ongoing post-management support and distribute hygiene supplies to help maintain the certification. Consumers can check the Safe Restaurant certification status through online portals such as Naver and Kakao Map.
Restaurants wishing to participate in the Safe Restaurant program can submit an application form to the Hygiene Team of the Gokseong County Health Project Division in person, by email, or by fax at any time during the year. Final designation will be granted after on-site inspection and review.
A county official stated, "We hope that the Safe Restaurant designation will serve as an opportunity to raise the hygiene standards of dining establishments in our county. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a healthy dining culture that residents can trust and enjoy, and we encourage active participation from restaurant owners."
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