Geumsan promotes World Ginseng Festival to spouses of foreign ambassadors

Geumsan County Mayor Park Beom-in, front row fifth from left, poses with spouses of foreign ambassadors stationed in Korea during a reception promoting the World Ginseng Festival in Geumsan County, South Chuncheong Province, Sept. 2. Courtesy of Geumsan County Office

In a bid to boost international recognition of its prized ginseng and the annual Geumsan World Ginseng Festival, the county of Geumsan hosted an event for the spouses of foreign ambassadors stationed in Korea on Sept 2.

In attendance were representatives from a diverse array of countries, including the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Belarus, Tajikistan, Mexico, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Estonia, Colombia, India, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore and Japan.

The event kicked off with a culinary demonstration showcasing the versatility of Geumsan ginseng through an appetizer cooking class. The attendees were given a taste of how ginseng, a staple in traditional Korean medicine, can also be a flavorful addition to modern cuisine.

Following the cooking session, a fusion artist performed a unique musical act that blended traditional music from the guests' home countries with themes inspired by ginseng.

Geumsan County Mayor Park Beom-in took the opportunity to introduce the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival, which has been steadily gaining global attention.

Park also engaged in a Q&A session with the attendees, answering questions about the health benefits of ginseng and recommended methods for its consumption.

Geumsan County plans to host an experiential tour at the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival on Oct. 5, specifically for the spouses of foreign ambassadors.

"We organized this gathering to promote the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival, which is evolving into a global event, and to introduce Geumsan ginseng to the influential spouses of foreign ambassadors in Korea," Park said. "We will continue our efforts to highlight the excellence of ginseng and to attract more international visitors."

The Geumsan World Ginseng Festival is set to take place next month, promising a rich program of cultural and educational activities centered around the famed medicinal root.