Kang Hodong Secures Second Term as ICAO President and Conducts On-Site Management in the U.S., Accelerating Nonghyup Globalization

Re-elected as Head of Global Agricultural Cooperatives;
Strengthening International Solidarity on Food Security and Climate Crisis

All Nonghyup Affiliates Assemble in LA;
Reviewing Export, Finance, Seed, and Feed Strategies for the U.S. Market

Visiting Local Distribution Channels such as H Mart and Han Nam Chain;
Exploring Strategies to Expand in the U.S. Market

After being re-elected as the head of an international organization representing agricultural cooperatives worldwide, Kang Hodong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), visited the United States in person to oversee the global operations of Nonghyup. He is working to strengthen the international network of agricultural cooperatives while simultaneously designating the U.S. as a core strategic market, accelerating the export of Korean agricultural products and the expansion of local operations.

Kang Hodong, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, visited Hannam Chain Buena Park store in California, USA on the 17th (local time) to review the sales status of Korean agricultural products. 2026.9.18 NACF Photo by NACF

According to Nonghyup on September 21, Kang was re-elected as chairman at the International Cooperative Agricultural Organization (ICAO) General Assembly held in Panama City, Panama, on the 14th (local time). Consequently, he was also reappointed as a board director of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), representing global agricultural cooperatives, and will serve in international agricultural cooperative leadership for another four years. Established in 1951, ICAO is the agricultural sectoral organization under the ICA and represents approximately 1 billion cooperative members worldwide. Currently, 45 agricultural cooperative institutions from 35 countries are ICAO members, and Korean Nonghyup has served as the chair institution since 1998, leading international cooperation among agricultural cooperatives worldwide.

Since taking office as ICAO chairman in July 2024, Kang has served as a board director of both the ICA and ICA Asia-Pacific, addressing shared global agricultural issues such as food security, climate crisis, fostering young and female farmers, and introducing advanced agricultural technologies. Notably, last year, taking the opportunity of the '2025 International Year of Cooperatives,' ICAO held its General Assembly in Seoul and adopted the 'ICAO Seoul Declaration,' which includes commitments to strengthening food security, responding to the climate crisis, and protecting the rights and interests of farmers. Kang has also worked to share Nonghyup’s development experience with partner organizations and promote the 'Nongshim Cheonshim' movement to the international community.

Kang stated, “In the face of crises such as the climate crisis and food security, solidarity among cooperatives is more essential than ever. Based on the spirit of the Seoul Declaration, we will work together with agricultural cooperatives worldwide to overcome these challenges and open a future for sustainable agriculture and rural communities where farmers are respected.”

After succeeding in securing another term on the international stage, Kang immediately traveled to the United States to personally assess Nonghyup’s local operations. On the 17th (local time) in Los Angeles (LA), he carried out field management of the Nonghyup affiliates and discussed strategies to address the U.S. market and expand agricultural exports. The meeting was attended by representatives from economic subsidiaries such as NH Nonghyup Trading (Nonghyup America), NH Noongwoo Bio (Noongwoo Seed America), and Nonghyup Feed (NH-HAY), as well as representatives from financial subsidiaries, including the New York branch of NH Nonghyup Bank and the New York local corporation of NH Investment & Securities.

Each affiliate’s operations are also being tailored to the U.S. market. NH Nonghyup Trading is expanding its local agricultural distribution network and developing new sales channels; NH Noongwoo Bio is advancing efforts to develop seeds tailored to the Americas market and to expand its sales capabilities. Nonghyup Feed is working to establish a stable base for supplying forage, while financial affiliates are sharing local financial market information and networks, seeking collaboration among the affiliates.

Kang Hodong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (second from left), is taking a commemorative photo with the vice presidents after being elected as the president at the International Cooperative Agricultural Organization (ICAO) General Assembly held in Panama City on the 14th (local time). Nonghyup

Kang not only received reports on the business status of local subsidiaries but also directly listened to the concerns of employees, checking ways to enhance Nonghyup’s competitiveness in the U.S. market.

He also visited the local distribution networks in person. Kang met with the executives of H Mart to discuss the current status of Korean agricultural product sales in the U.S. and the direction for expanding the market, exploring ways to increase sales through local distribution channels.

At Han Nam Chain, he reviewed changes and consumer preferences in the Korean and Asian consumer markets and discussed ways to broaden the consumer base for agricultural products. At the Galleria Market Olympic branch, he inspected onsite promotional events for agricultural products, directly assessing consumer reactions and sales trends.

Kang identified the United States as a core market for Nonghyup’s global business. He said, “The United States is a key strategic market for expanding Nonghyup’s global business. Securing local operational capabilities and a strong distribution network is more important than ever. We will strengthen cooperation with local subsidiaries and distributors to enhance the competitiveness of Korean agricultural products in the U.S. market and strive to increase exports in a way that improves actual benefits for farmers.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.