The 'World Food Tech (WFT) 25 Convenient Food Forum,' which explores the latest technological trends in the field of convenient food products and strategies for creating the industrial ecosystem, was held on the 9th at the conference hall of Jeju National University.
This forum was organized to promote Jeju's commitment to nurturing the convenient food-centered food tech industry and its regional capabilities to the outside world, and to seek globalization strategies. The World Food Tech Council (WFTC), Jeju Food Tech Council (WFTC Jeju Chapter), and Jeju National University Food Tech Center co-hosted the event, with support from the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
The first session, themed 'Global Expansion and Food Tech Content Strategy,' was chaired by Professor Kwon Oh-sang of Seoul National University (Vice President of the World Food Tech Council).
Kim Nam-sook, Deputy Minister of Samyang Foods, shared experiences and growth strategies for K-food exports while presenting 'Globalizing K-convenient food: Strategies for the globalization of K-convenient food through Samyang Foods’ global expansion.' Harim Executive Nam Gi-hyun introduced convenient food strategies based on generational shifts in meal culture with the theme 'Changes in generations, changes in meals,' and Kim Bong-geun, CEO of Itda Company, proposed an approach to storytelling and content creation for convenient food through 'Beyond convenience food, a meal that becomes content – Innovation in meals in the food tech era.'
In the subsequent panel discussion, Professor Shin Jeong-kyu of Jeonju University and Dr. Kim Beom-geun of the Korea Food Research Institute shared various opinions on strategies for creating a private-sector-led industrial ecosystem, investment linkage strategies, and building collaborative platforms for global expansion.
The second session discussed strategies for expanding the convenient food industry based on Jeju's unique resources. The chair was Professor Cheon Ji-yeon of Jeju National University (Chair of the WFTC Jeju Chapter).
Kim Ha-won, CEO of Haenyeo's Kitchen, introduced the potential for content creation for convenient food based on Jeju's traditional culture through 'Convenient food products from Jeju: The value of haenyeo culture and business expansion strategies.' Dr. Kim Kyung-min of Jeju Industry-Academic Convergence Institute presented a roadmap for the dissemination of Jeju-style food tech with 'Strategies and plans for fostering the Jeju food tech industry and convenient foods.' Seo In-soo of Jeju Technopark explained the direction for expanding the convenient food market linked to Jeju's tourism industry and the specialized vision for the regional food industry through 'Developing customized convenient food for tourists and strategies to specialize Jeju's food tech industry.'
The panel discussion for this session included Professor Kim Jeong-hyun of Jeju Tourism University and Dr. Park Mi-sung of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, who discussed strategies for expanding the industrial ecosystem based on the collaborative model between industry and academia.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province plans to pursue the establishment of a Food Tech Research Support Center while executing a comprehensive ecosystem creation strategy that includes adding value to Jeju agricultural products, enhancing the competitiveness of local food companies through food tech, and consolidating technological infrastructure.
Kim Ae-sook, Vice Governor for Political Affairs of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, noted, "Food tech will become the center of industries that combines high value-added technology and culture, beyond the simple processing of local resources," and stated, "We will make Jeju a global model for the industrialization of convenient foods."
This forum is the third of the WFT25 thematic food tech forums, following the cell-cultured food forum and food robots. The World Food Tech Council plans to sequentially hold forums themed around localized topics such as ▲personalized food (Gwacheon, Chuncheon) ▲plant-based food (Iksan) ▲food upcycling (Naju).
Lee Gi-won, co-chair of the World Food Tech Council (Professor at Seoul National University), remarked, "Food tech is an emergent industry that can create new value while solving humanity's food problems," adding that they will spread the regionally-based food tech ecosystem model that combines local resources and technology, like in Jeju, across the country and develop it into a global food culture that anyone in the world can easily access and relate to K-food.