Anchor: The United Nations food standards body has recognized ginseng as a food product. The decision is expected to increase exports of ginseng by South Korea. The recognition is also likely to simplify customs procedures in many countries, which have thus far considered it a medicinal product.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.

Report: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has announced that South Korea’s proposal to recognize ginseng as food has been passed by the United Nations food standards body.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission made the decision at its 38th session in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday.

The commission’s guidance for its 186 member countries is recognized as the global standard in international trade.

So far, most countries had considered ginseng a medicinal product which meant it had to go through relatively difficult customs procedures and received less tariff benefits when it was exported.

South Korea exported 160 million U.S. dollars’ worth of ginseng last year as overseas sales of the product have been stalled for the past several years.

Almost 90 percent of the exports were to only five destinations, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the United States.

The agricultural ministry expects shipping ginseng as a food product will expand exports as South Korea will able to process it in more diverse forms compared with when it was considered a medicinal product.

The ministry also hopes it will be able to export ginseng to more regions such as Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.

It is the second time that a South Korean proposal to establish a worldwide standard has been adopted by the UN food standards commission after kimchi.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.