FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues
Today's Date:   Monday, September 30, 2015
For Coverage:  September 01 ~ 30, 2015
 
1. FOOD SAFETY ISSUES

Avian flu discovered at two Jeolla marketplaces [English, KLS]
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3009484
Summary: Two open-air markets in the Jeolla region contained the deadly avian influenza (AI) virus, the government confirmed on Monday, raising concerns in the country that the highly pathogenic bird flu could again sweep across the country ahead of the Chuseok holiday and the return of migratory birds to the country.

2. MAKETING ISSUES

Ambassador Lippert with an Apron, "How About Korean-American Fusion Grilled Shot Rib?" ... Ambassador Invites Press Reporters to His Residence as Local Thanksgiving Day Approaches [Korean, OSY]
http://news.donga.com/3/all/20150924/73835300/1
Summary: Mark Lippert, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea showcased his cooking skills in front of local press reporters in his residence on September 22.  During the event, Ambassador cooked a variety of dishes of fusion Korean-American themes incorporating American ingredients such as potato "Jun (local pan cake)" with cranberry topping.  Ambassador also commented about his love on Korean dishes.  In clear Korean, he told to the reporters, "Korean dishes are excellent.  They are very delicious and fantastic".

Ambassador Mark Lippert with an Apron, "I am the Cook Today" [Korean, OSY]
http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/710088.html
Summary: Ambassador Lippert cooked himself Korean Chuseok (thanksgiving day) dishes using American ingredients on September 22 in his residence, 'Habib House', in Seoul.  This is the first Chuseok that Ambassador has since his arrival in Korea.  Ricky Kim, a TV celebrity joined the cooking with Ambassador.  Ambassador cooked "Galbi (grilled beef short rib)" and potato "Jun (pan cake)" with cranberry topping.  Ambassador commented that "Kimchi, Galbi, Samgyubsal (grilled pork belly meat), and Samgyetang (chicken soup)" were some of his favorite Korean dishes.  He also mentioned that "Korean cuisine is getting a big spotlight in the United States and other countries around the world" and "as indicated by the fact that Korean Samgyetang is being exported to the United States, exchange of food ingredients, flavors and foods between Korea and the United States is a good way of cultural exchange between the two countries.  The event featured other local dishes such as "Jabchae (sweet potato noodle)", "Hobak jun (squash pan cake)", "Songpyun (rice cake dumpling)" together with American thanksgiving dishes such as apple pie and pecan pie.

Lobsters to Become a Leading Seafood Gift Set for Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) [Korean, OSY]
http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2015091375471
Summary: E Mart, the leading hypermarket store chain in Korea, reported on September 13 that it has prepared 2,000 boxes of 'lobster gift set' targeting the coming Korean Thanksgiving Day (September 26).  The lobsters were imported from Canada.  According to E Mart, lobsters have become a very popular specialty food among the Korean consumers.  Reflecting the trend, E Mart has doubled the volume of the lobster gift set offer compared to last year's Chuseok season.  E Mart pointed out that dried yellow corbina, a popular gift item for Chuseok season, has seen declined demand in recent years on the other hand.

Korean Broiler Industry in "Chicken Game" ... Price of Domestic Broiler Plunges due to Oversupply [Korean, OSY]
http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2015090112151
Summary: Ex-farm price of domestic broiler marked 900 won per one kilogram on September 1, sharply down from 1,750 won marked in April earlier this year, according to the Korea Broiler Industry Association.  The sharp decline of the price is due to oversupply.  Total number of broiler birds in the industry marked 118 million at the end of August, up 13 percent from one year ago.  As a result, leading companies in the industry have reported a significant amount of deficit. 

Lotte Mart Launches "Drive & Pick" Service [Korean, OSY]
http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2015090112161
Summary: Lotte Mart, a leading hypermarket store chain in Korea, announced on September 1 that its store in Joong-Gye-Dong, Seoul started to offer "Drive & Pick" service.  Under the service, consumers can on-line order products via PC or smart phone and pick up the products from the store quickly in a designated drive thru area.  Lotte Mart explained that the "Drive & Pick" service can reduce the shopping time down to 15 minutes compared to conventional shopping trip to the store.  Lotte Mart plans to offer the service in additional stores in the coming month.