By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung met with U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip S. Goldberg at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul on April 19 to request his special attention and cooperation in expanding Korean agri-food exports to the United States, and to discuss ways to promote trade and expand future cooperation in the agri-food sector between the two countries.
 

Ambassador Goldberg noted that food and cultural exchanges between the two countries are now more active than ever, with the popularity of K-food in the U.S. and the establishment of "Kimchi Day" in 12 regions, including California. 

Ambassador Goldberg has shown a keen interest in Korean food and culture since his arrival in July 2022, and in November, he attended a kimchi event with President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Minister Song expressed her deep appreciation for Ambassador Goldberg's interest and requested his cooperation in promoting Korean ramen, kimchi, frozen kimbap, and other K-food products, as well as Korean food culture, in the U.S. and further expanding Korea’s agricultural exports to the U.S.

Minister Song and Ambassador Goldberg also agreed on the need for policy cooperation in response to the global food crisis and climate change. 

Minister Song introduced South Korea's policies to transition to a low-carbon agricultural structure and used the meeting as an opportunity to convey South Korea's intention to join the Sustainable Productivity Growth Coalition (SPG Coalition), a group of more than 20 countries, including the United States and the European Union.