Agriculture ministry to showcase K-food, smart farming at APEC food security meeting

Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs talks to a visitor at the K-Food Plus Exhibition at Songdo Convensia, Incheon, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Korean cuisine, known globally as “K-food,” will take center stage at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2025 Food Security Ministerial Meeting, as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs intensifies efforts to promote the strategic value of the country’s agri-food sector and use the event as a platform for agricultural diplomacy.

The meeting, scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday in Songdo, Incheon, will bring together food and agriculture ministers and working-level officials from 21 APEC member economies to discuss ways to strengthen food security under the theme of “Driving Innovation in Agri-food Systems for Shared Prosperity.”

As the chair of the meeting, the ministry will address the topic of sharing innovation practices in agri-food systems among member economies, and share ways to foster cooperation to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to the agriculture sector.

At the meeting, the APEC economies will adopt a joint ministerial statement emphasizing efforts to innovate in all aspects of agriculture, including technologies and policies, as a solution to various challenges including climate crisis and supply chain disruptions.

At the meeting, the ministry plans to highlight the value of not only Korean cuisine but also “K-Food Plus,” a government-coined term referring to food-related industries such as smart farming technology, agricultural materials and even pet food.

To promote this, the ministry has prepared a wide range of interactive programs and cultural content that will showcase the past, present and future of Korean agriculture.

An official tags a digital QR stamp for a visitor at the K-Food Plus Exhibition at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, Wednesday. To encourage greater visitor engagement at the exhibition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is running an e-stamp tour program using a mobile QR code instead of printed paper booklets. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The K-Food Plus Exhibition, which began Monday and runs through Sunday at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, will feature Korea’s signature export items such as instant noodles, kimchi and ginseng, as well as popular street foods like tteokbokki (spicy stewed rice cakes) and dumplings.

The exhibition is also showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies, including smart farming systems, autonomous machinery and precision agriculture, offering visitors a glimpse into Korea’s tech-driven agricultural innovation extending beyond culinary experiences.

To encourage greater visitor engagement, an e-stamp tour program is being offered. Participants who visit all exhibition booths and complete their stamp cards can receive a souvenir, adding a fun and immersive element to the on-site experience.

Kim In-joong, front row eight from right, president and CEO of the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC), poses with participants of a tour program held in conjunction with the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting at Mindeulle Theater Village in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of MAFRA

On Wednesday, the ministry also launched a tour program for 70 participants. The group visited a folk village in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, and experienced the sights, tastes and sounds of Korean rural life through a traditional mask dance performance, liquor tasting event and other local specialty activities. The program reflects how Korea’s rural areas are being showcased on the global diplomatic stage as more than just centers of agricultural production.

On Friday, a traditional liquor cocktail reception will be held ahead of the ministerial meeting’s official dinner, featuring cocktails made with Korean liquors that have received presidential prizes.

A presenter speaks during the Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group workshop in Incheon, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

For the event, the ministry carried out multiple on-site inspections and program planning sessions to ensure the meeting would go beyond a simple diplomatic gathering and serve as a platform for agricultural diplomacy, by showcasing the excellence of Korean agriculture and K-food to the world.

The ministry said this is the first time that government officials and private agricultural groups jointly worked on preparations for such an event. The tour program, selection of tasting items and other cultural content were all planned in collaboration with major agricultural organizations.

“The ministerial meeting will serve as a platform to share Korea’s experience and technology in the agri-food sector and promote cooperation for a sustainable future in the Asia-Pacific region,” a ministry official said. “We will showcase Korea’s agri-food diplomacy capabilities through thorough preparation.”