Governor Kim Dongyeon: "A Future Profession Created by Gyeonggi Province... Ushering in the Era of Grill Master Job Creation"

Gyeonggi Province Holds 'Grill Talk On-site Communication Forum' at Yongin Hanwoo Direct Sales Center
Communicating with Stakeholders on 'Job Creation' to Establish 'Grill Master' as a New Profession
Governor Kim: "Triple Benefits Expected - Industry Competitiveness, Marketing, and Professional Pride"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon visited a site to encourage workers involved in grilling Hanwoo and other meats, with the aim of fostering 'Grill Masters'?professionals who specialize in grilling meat?as a new specialized occupation.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim attended the 'Grill Talk On-site Communication Discussion' held at a Hanwoo direct sales market in Yongin City on the 8th, encouraging related workers. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

On August 8, Gyeonggi Province held the 'Grill Talk On-site Communication Forum' at a Hanwoo direct sales center in Yongin City. This event was part of the '2025 Grill Master Competition' promoted by Gyeonggi Province, and is a program designed to train professional Grill Masters and promote the consumption of livestock products.

The 'Grill Master Competition' is a contest to select experts who can deliver the best grilled flavor using G Mark-certified premium livestock products. A Grill Master is a professional whose specialty is grilling meat. The province has been holding this competition since 2024 as part of a 'job creation' initiative to establish grilling as a specialized profession. Governor Kim Dongyeon also attended the competition in its inaugural year.

Governor Kim Dongyeon emphasized, "Just 15 to 20 years ago, professions like sommelier or barista were unfamiliar, but now many people are engaged in these fields. Likewise, Grill Master is a profession that can deliver triple benefits: strengthening the competitiveness of the food service industry, boosting marketing effectiveness, and enhancing the self-esteem of workers."

He added, "I want to create a society in which Gyeonggi residents can work with pride in their jobs. Rather than focusing on income or status, it is important to have an environment where people can enjoy their work and feel a sense of self-worth."

Governor Kim also explained that Gyeonggi Province recently reorganized its departments, changing the Department of Agricultural Policy to the Department of Agro-Fisheries Life Sciences, and the Department of Livestock to the Department of Livestock Animal Welfare. He said this was related to boosting the pride of agricultural and livestock workers, as well as to Dasan Jeong Yak-yong's philosophy of the "Three Types of Agriculture"?Pyeonnong (convenient farming), Hounong (profitable farming), and Sangnong (raising the status of farmers).

Governor Kim further stated, "If I had not left the central government and spent nearly three years traveling across the country meeting rural farmers and livestock producers before taking office as governor, I would not have come up with these new department names. The changes reflect the ideas of industrial development, job creation, various innovations that arise in these sectors, and the synergy created by being loved by the public and growing together."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim is attending the 'Grill Talk On-site Communication Forum' held at a Korean beef direct sales market in Yongin City on the 8th, performing with Grill Masters. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

The event was attended by 20 Grill Masters, livestock farmers, and food service industry representatives, who participated in an on-site discussion. Governor Kim also grilled meat together with the participants and shared grilling tips and know-how.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is promoting the 'Grill Master Training Project,' which includes Grill Master training programs and promotional events. The project aims to give the title of 'Grill Master' to those who are often called 'Aunties' at barbecue restaurants and who skillfully grill high-quality meat, thereby enhancing their professional pride. The province hopes that these Grill Masters will become ambassadors for Korea's renowned food culture, such as Hanwoo barbecue, and that the profession will become as established as sommelier or barista in the past.