Choi Mi-sook, a member of the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Council, emphasized the need for policy support to enhance the competitiveness of local marine resources, including seaweed and solar salt, and to increase the actual income of producers.
Choi, who serves on the council's Agriculture and Fisheries Committee, attended the '2026 Salt Expo Symposium' and the opening ceremony of the '2026 Jeonnam Gwangju World Gimbap & Salt Festival' on October 9 at the Yeosu Expo Convention Center.
The Salt Expo Symposium was organized to discuss sustainable development and competitiveness enhancement strategies for the solar salt industry. Producers, industry stakeholders, and experts gathered to share their views on the future direction of the solar salt industry.
In her welcoming remarks, Choi stated, "Our solar salt is a precious resource produced with care and technology over a long time in clean tidal flats and seas. Continuous efforts are needed to elevate it to a premium salt recognized in the global market."
During the same day’s '2026 Jeonnam Gwangju World Gimbap & Salt Festival,' she highlighted the importance of increasing the added value of local agricultural and marine products, including seaweed and solar salt, and expanding connections among related industries.
Choi remarked, "This festival, featuring seaweed from the ocean and salt crafted by the sea, is a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the value of our local waters. Gimbap, made with seaweed, solar salt, and local agricultural products, is a representative dish that can showcase the excellence of our agricultural and marine products to the world."
She added, "I hope this festival becomes a platform for connecting seaweed, solar salt, agricultural products, processed foods, and the dining industry, fostering mutual growth among producers, consumers, businesses, and young entrepreneurs."
Choi stressed that expanding the consumption of local agricultural and marine products should not be limited to mere promotion but should lead to increased income for producers, highlighting the importance of connections with distribution, processing, and dining sectors.
Choi Mi-sook stated, "The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Council's Agriculture and Fisheries Committee will work closely with relevant agencies to enhance the competitiveness of the seaweed and solar salt industries and ensure that the hard work of fishermen translates into fair income through institutional and policy support."
The event was co-hosted by the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, Yeonggwang County, and Sinan County to promote the excellence of seaweed and solar salt and to stimulate consumption and related industry activation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.