Yeongju hosts diplomatic corps to promote Punggi ginseng, cultural heritage

Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, held a two-day event Saturday and Sunday for foreign ambassadors and diplomats stationed in South Korea, timed to coincide with the 2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival, to showcase the quality of Punggi ginseng and the city's cultural and tourism resources to the world.

A total of 36 ambassadors and diplomats from 20 countries — including Oman, Tunisia and Kenya — took part in the event, touring the city's festival grounds, cultural heritage sites and ginseng industry facilities over the two days.

On the first day, Saturday, the group attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival, celebrating the start of the event alongside local residents and tourists.

At a welcome dinner that followed, participants sampled dishes prepared with Punggi ginseng, experiencing the city's food culture, and exchanged views on ways to promote Punggi ginseng overseas and expand its exports.

On the second day, Sunday, the delegation visited Buseoksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore Yeongju's history and traditional culture.

They then toured the processing facility of the Punggi Ginseng Agricultural Cooperative, where they received an explanation of the key equipment and production processes used in ginseng processing and gained an understanding of how the facility operates.

"I am grateful to the ambassadors and diplomats who visited Yeongju and experienced the Punggi Ginseng Festival and the region's diverse cultural resources," Yeongju Mayor Hwang Byeong-jik said. "We will keep expanding exchanges with countries around the world and work to promote Punggi ginseng and broaden its market access so it gains greater attention in overseas markets."

The 2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival runs through Sunday in the Punggi-eup area along Namwoncheon stream and at Punggi Ginseng Park, featuring performances, hands-on experiences and food programs centered on Punggi ginseng.