□ Jeollabuk-do International Exchange Center (Director Lee Young-ho), a foundation, was selected as a project with the theme of ‘K-Food, adding media’ for the ‘2022 Korean Culture Week’ project contested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As can be seen from the theme of ‘K-FOOD, adding media’, the main content of this event is to taste and experience Korean food, which has become more famous through Korean dramas and movies that are currently very popular worldwide.

□ Accordingly, starting with a food experience event held at the Washington State Capitol on the 14th (US local time), kimbap was offered at Gray Middle School in Washington state, kimchi at Seattle University, and Mount Tacoma High School ( Mount Tahoma High school plans to hold a songpyeon-making event.

□ As part of this project, an event titled ‘Celebration of Korean Food & Culture’ was held on the 14th at the Washington State Capitol. On this day, about 50 local opinion leaders, including a Washington state senator and local Korean American association president, attended, attracting everyone's attention.

□ Before the event, visitors visited the 'Korean War memorial' to honor veterans of the Korean War led by Washington State Senator Chris Gildon, making the event more meaningful.

□ This was followed by congratulatory remarks from Washington state officials, including senators, and a plaque presentation ceremony for the Jeollabuk-do International Exchange Center, which contributed to hosting this event. Washington State Senator Chris Gildon expressed his gratitude, saying, “This event contributed greatly to promoting friendly relations and mutual interests between Washington State and Jeollabuk-do.”

□ At the event, which was decorated with representative foods of Korea and Jeollabuk-do, such as bibimbap, bulgogi, various pancakes and kimchi, all attendees freely enjoyed Korean food. In particular, bibimbap and bulgogi, which are famous representative Korean foods, were very popular and received continued praise from attendees. One observer who tasted the food expressed his thoughts, saying, “It was an opportunity to better understand the traditional food culture of Jeollabuk-do.” In addition, key scenes from famous K-dramas and movies featuring representative Korean foods were continuously played to remind viewers of the meaning of eating food from famous K-content rather than simply tasting Korean food, adding to the meaning of an indirect experience.

□ Center Director Lee Young-ho said, “Through this event, it was a very rewarding event to be able to enjoy Korean food, which has become more famous through excellent Korean dramas and movies, in Washington state, USA, with which we have had a sister relationship, friendly exchange and cooperation relationship for 26 years.” He said, “We will continue to make efforts to promote Jeollabuk-do’s culture, including food, to the world and promote friendly relations with various countries and regions.”