The World Institute of Kimchi (Research Director, Hae Choon Chang) held the ‘2021 Kimchi Sharing of Love’ event for local neighbors at the Kimchi Town Multipurpose Experience Center in Gwangju City on the 16th with the participation of member of the National Assembly, Yeong-deok Yoon (Namgu-gap, Dong-gu, Gwangju) and staff of the World Institute of Kimchi.

‘Kimchi Sharing of Love’ is an annual event which has been held for 10 years since 2012, the first year the World Institute of Kimchi moved from Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do to Gwangju Metropolitan City. This event was held in compliance with the guidelines of “social distancing in accordance with special quarantine measures against epidemics” and in the condition that all participants were vaccinated.

On this day, 1,300 kg of kimchi made by the staff themselves of the World Institue of Kimchi in cooperation with the Gwangju Social Welfare Council (Government Food Bank) was delivered to neighbors in social welfare facilities such as local children and youth, multicultural centers, and protection centers for the disabled.
In particular, ‘kimchi starter’ was used for the kimchi produced at this event. The World Institute of Kimchi has secured 35,000 kinds of kimchi lactic acid bacteria from kimchi by region and type across the country through the 'Starter Development Project', which started from 2013, and developed 'Kimchi Starter' with the ability to improve the taste and quality of kimchi.
※ Kimchi Starter: Excellent kimchi lactic acid bacteria that have the ability to improve the taste and quality of kimchi, such as improving the taste of kimchi and maintaining the quality uniformly with lactic acid bacteria that lead the fermentation of kimchi

In addition, the World Institute of Kimchi has reached the stage of dissemination to kimchi manufacturers by developing core source technology for kimchi, such as fermentation control and mass production technology, etc. through practical research, and this event differentiated it from other kimchi sharing events in that it was the first to apply these scientific research results to social contribution activities for local residents.

Member of the National Assembly, Yeong-deok Yoon, who participated in the kimchi sharing event this day, said, "Kimchi made with kimchi starter possesses the three elements of 'taste,' 'nutrition,' and 'sincerity', so the happiness of the neighbors who received it will also get bigger." In addition to research on the scientific excellence of this Korean kimchi, I hope to continue exchanges with the local community ceaselessly.”

Hae-choon Chang, Research Director of the World Institute of Kimchi said, “Although everyone is in a difficult situation due to COVID-19, we decided to share kimchi while thoroughly following the quarantine rules in the hope that it would be a small help to our neighbors.” We will do our best to fulfill our social responsibilities as a public institution and grow together with the local community by spreading warm sharing to our neighbors by promoting support business and volunteer activities continuously.”

Meanwhile, the World Institute of Kimchi Research Institute regularly supports the disadvantaged in the local community through goods supplies and donations necessary for the Community Chest of Korea, welfare facilities for the disabled, and child care facilities, etc. every year.