Korea Food Research Institute's North Gyeongsang branch breaks ground in Gumi

North Gyeongsang Province held a ground-breaking ceremony Wednesday for the Korea Food Research Institute's North Gyeongsang branch in Seonsan-eup, Gumi.

About 200 people attended, including North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo, lawmaker Kang Myeong-gu, Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, provincial and city council members, and officials from the National Research Council of Science and Technology and the Korea Food Research Institute.

The branch will be built in Gyori, Seonsan-eup, Gumi, at a total project cost of 27.1 billion won ($20 million).

The complex will cover a total floor area of 4,944 square meters on a 6,596-square-meter site and comprise three buildings — office and research facilities, a pilot factory and a welfare facility. It is scheduled to open in April 2028.

Once open, the branch will pursue high-value commercialization of local agricultural and food products, research into new materials including marine biotech, and development of smart food manufacturing and retail technologies integrating IT, robotics and machinery.

"The global food market is worth about $10 trillion — more than five times South Korea's GDP and larger than the semiconductor market," Governor Lee said. "Now that the world is embracing K-food, we must seize this moment and supply properly made Korean ingredients and high-value food products."