North Gyeongsang Province, Andong complete Soju Story distillery — South Korea's largest distilled soju facility

The Soju Story distillery, an agricultural corporation housing South Korea's largest distilled soju production facility, was completed Thursday in the North Gyeongsang Province Biotech Secondary Industrial Complex in Pungsan-eup, Andong.

The completion ceremony drew about 200 attendees, including North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, lawmakers Lee Dal-hee and Kim Hyeong-dong, former Financial Services Commission Chairman Choi Jong-gu, Kyungpook National University President Heo Yeong-woo, LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun, NH NongHyup Bank Vice President Kim Seong-hun, NH NongHyup North Gyeongsang Regional Headquarters Director Kim Ju-won, Korea Distilled Spirits Association President Lee Jong-gi and Andong Soju Association President Kwon Yong-bok, along with representatives from CJ Olive Networks, Posco and the National Tax Service.

The completion marks the fruition of an investment partnership pledged in 2023 between North Gyeongsang Province and Nara Cellar to globalize Andong soju, a traditional Korean distilled spirit. Built at a total project cost of 12 billion won ($7.8 million), the facility covers 2,687 square meters and is equipped with the latest production equipment, with an annual capacity of 600,000 liters, or about 1.6 million 375-milliliter bottles.

Soju Story's parent company, Nara Cellar, is a Kosdaq-listed firm specializing in the import and retail of world-renowned wines, including Montes — the first wine in South Korea to surpass cumulative sales of 10 million bottles.

North Gyeongsang Province has worked to develop the Andong soju industry through a range of initiatives, including establishing the Andong Soju Association, developing a shared brand identity and bottle design, operating a governor's quality certification program and running joint overseas marketing campaigns, laying the groundwork for exports to 14 countries, including the United States, China and Vietnam.

Andong soju exports reached 1.27 billion won in 2025, a 55 percent increase from 2023, reflecting tangible progress in the globalization drive.

"If last year's groundbreaking ceremony marked the first step toward globalizing Andong soju, today's completion ceremony is the meaningful fruition that turns that vision into reality," Governor Lee said. "We will actively support Andong soju so it can grow beyond being South Korea's premier traditional spirit into a K-traditional liquor enjoyed by people around the world."