S. Korea to host forum on FTA with China, Japan [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2011/05/26/0502000000AEN20110526002000320.HTML

Summary: South Korea will host the inaugural meeting next week of an economic forum aimed at boosting its multilateral cooperation with China and Japan and urging the countries' governments to sign a three-way free trade agreement (FTA), hosts of the meeting said Thursday.  The first South Korea-Japan-China Economic and Trade Forum will be held next Friday, involving some 30 scholars and experts from the three countries, according to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

2. MARKETING ISSUES

AK Plaza Launches Japanese Ramen Noodle Restaurant Business [Korean, OSY]

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/economy/2011/05/26/0318000000AKR20110526124700003.HTML

Summary: AK Plaza, a retail arm under AK Group, launched ‘IPPUDO’ Japanese ramen noodle restaurant in Seoul.  IPPUDO, founded by Chicaramono Japan, has a total of 59 branch restaurants in Japan, Singapore, and the U.S.  AK Plaza plans to open additional outlets in Korea.

3. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

KFDA to Disclose Fees for Food Safety Inspections [Korean, OSY]

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/economy/2011/05/25/0318000000AKR20110525164000017.HTML

Summary: KFDA announced on May 25 that detailed information about all the fees charged on various food safety inspections will be disclosed.  Information on current fees will become available either on the web-site of KFDA or the inspection agencies.

Daejeon aims to become the center of wine in Korea [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2011/05/23/24/0701000000AEN20110523004800315F.HTML

Summary: For one of South Korea's largest cities known best for its sprawling science town and as a host of top-name corporate research centers, holding sommelier contests was rather odd.  But Daejeon, a major provincial city 164 kilometers south of capital Seoul, has turned to wine as a driver for its tourism business, and hosting the contests is meant to be only the beginning of the campaign.  For Daejeon, three days in early May featured the 7th Korea Best Sommelier Contest and the 2nd Traditional Liquor Sommelier Contest plus wine and food festivals, targeting families looking for entertainment and sightseeing.   Based on ticket sales, 10,000 people attended the events, according to Daejeon City government officials.   Daejeon City is working on a different marketing strategy to promote its wine-based tourism. Rather than publicizing Korean food and liquors overseas, it is inviting wine and food professionals to come over to have a first-hand taste of traditional Korean food and liquor.