[On Site] Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Chief Makes Historic First Visit to Wando...Signs Mutual Growth Sisterhood Partnership

Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung Signs Agreement with Wando County
Supporting Market Expansion for Agricultural and Marine Specialties

Local Specialty Direct Sale Fair to Be Held at Ministry Headquarters in November

The head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety set foot in Wando for the first time in the agency's history. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is joining hands with Wando County, Gwangju Special City, South Jeolla Province, to actively pursue 'win-win cooperation' aimed at revitalizing the regional economy and improving employee welfare.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 30th that it signed a "Mutual Growth Sisterhood Partnership Agreement" with Wando County at the Wando County Office governor's office, with the core focus on these goals.

O Youkyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, who visited Wando County for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is seen on the left, examining representative processed abalone and seaweed products of Wando displayed in the first-floor lobby of Wando County Office together with Kim Shin, Governor of Wando County. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

This official visit to Wando by the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is the first since the agency's establishment. The event was made possible by the shared will of both organizations to help Wando County recover its local economy and reinvigorate the region.

Attending the signing ceremony were Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Kim Shin, Governor of Wando County, and key officials from both sides, who discussed tangible cooperation measures for a new leap for Wando and the revival of local communities.

The agreement, effective for one year from the date of signing (renewable annually), will see the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety actively encourage its staff to visit Wando and consume locally. Specific initiatives include: ▲encouraging staff visits to Wando during vacation periods, ▲promoting and purchasing excellent local agricultural and specialty products, ▲participating in and promoting the Hometown Love Donation Program, and ▲encouraging the holding of organizational events in Wando.

At the 'MOU Ceremony for Win-Win Sisterhood between the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Wando County,' Oh You-kyung, Director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Kim Shin, Mayor of Wando County, and other officials from both organizations are taking a group commemorative photo while pledging mutual regional development. Photo by Lee Jun-gyeong

Responding in kind, Wando County will proactively provide information on local specialty products to Ministry staff and promote tourism exchanges by offering discounts for using local tourist attractions and accommodations.

In particular, the lobby on the first floor of Wando County Office, where the signing ceremony was held, resembled a small "Wando Specialty Expo," drawing the attention of attendees. Representative processed abalone products such as abalone soy sauce and abalone porridge, as well as seaweed products like gim, miyeok, and dashima, functional cosmetics made with seaweed, and various resources representing Wando—including Hwangchil leaf tea, citron tea, and loquat wine—were showcased, sparking anticipation for further exchanges between the two organizations.

Continuing the spirit of cooperation, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will host a "Local Specialty Direct Sale Fair" at its main building as early as November. The aim is to provide a direct sales channel for outstanding Wando specialties, allowing Ministry staff to experience, purchase, and promote these products.

Previously, in 2025, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also forged sisterhood partnerships with Jecheon City, Sangju City, and Sunchang County in succession as part of its "Win-Win Consumption Promotion for Local Community Revitalization" initiative, steadily strengthening its bonds with local communities.

At the 'Win-Win Sisterhood Partnership Agreement Ceremony' held in the Wando County Office mayor's office, Oh Youkyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (left), and Kim Shin, Mayor of Wando County, are holding the agreement and posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety remarked, "I am very pleased to officially visit Wando County for the first time, to help promote its excellent resources and contribute, even if just a little, to the local economy. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with local governments and consistently put the value of win-win partnership into practice."

Governor Kim Shin also commented, "The Ministry head's first visit and the sisterhood partnership provide a meaningful opportunity to promote the healthy food produced in clean Wando widely. I look forward to these efforts bearing fruit in both local economic revitalization and improved welfare for Ministry staff."

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