When I tasted the product aged in an oak barrel, it had a deep flavor. I believe the distilled liquor made from our rice can also succeed in the whiskey market.
Minister Song Mi-ryeong highly evaluated the potential of the domestic whiskey market using Korean rice. On the 20th, Minister Song visited the traditional liquor manufacturer Joeun Sool Sejong in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, to inspect the brewing facilities and listen to the industry's concerns.
As I entered the Joeun Sool Sejong brewery, the smell of brewing liquor filled the air. In the fermentation tanks, liquor made from domestic rice was maturing, and in the filling station, distilled liquor was filling empty bottles.
Minister Song tasted the distilled liquor 'YIDO 42' during her visit. Minister Song noted, "It has a deep flavor like mature sake from Japan," and added, "Distilled liquor made from our rice has sufficient potential to grow in the whiskey market."
Minister Song expressed optimism that expanding the domestic traditional liquor market could increase the consumption of domestically produced rice, which is currently structurally overproduced. She sees the traditional liquor industry in Japan as a role model.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Japan currently consumes about 300,000 tons of rice annually due to its developed sake industry. However, the Korean traditional liquor industry uses only about 5,000 to 6,000 tons of domestic rice. Minister Song stated, "The goal is to expand the amount of domestic rice used by the traditional liquor industry to 30,000 tons within five years."
There are evaluations that distilled liquor is efficient in promoting rice consumption since it requires much more rice than makgeolli. Gyeonggi-ho, the representative of Joeun Sool Sejong, stated, "When making the same amount, distilled liquor or whiskey requires seven times the amount of rice compared to makgeolli," and noted, "High-end liquors like whiskey are effective in increasing rice consumption."
The government plans to ease regulations related to traditional liquor to expand the consumption of domestic rice. Currently, to be recognized as traditional liquor, 100% local agricultural products must be used; however, this will be relaxed to 95%, allowing the remaining 5% to be procured from a national level.
Minister Song noted, "There have been many cases where traditional liquor could not be recognized due to existing regulations," and added, "This revision will reduce the burden on the industry and increase the utilization of domestic rice."
Tax benefits for traditional liquor have also been expanded. Currently, fermented liquor (makgeolli, cheongju, etc.) below 500㎘ (kiloliters) and distilled liquor (soju, whiskey, etc.) below 250㎘ can receive a 50% reduction in liquor tax. However, the revised bill will double these limits to 1,000㎘ and 500㎘, and also create a new 30% reduction bracket.
As discussions continue on easing traditional liquor regulations, makgeolli producers raised concerns about the recognition standards for traditional liquor. Gyeonggi-ho stated, "According to the liquor tax law, makgeolli is classified as 'takju' or 'sterilized takju,'" and argued, "It should be renamed to fresh makgeolli and makgeolli to be recognized as traditional liquor."
They also pointed out the reality that the proportion of domestic rice in makgeolli is inevitably low. Joeun Sool Sejong's annual rice consumption reaches 500 to 600 tons, but the proportion of domestic rice is only about 60 to 70%. Representative Gyeong stated, "Price competitiveness is crucial for makgeolli, so we have to use more imported rice than domestic rice."
The government plans to promote the export of domestic whiskey paired with K-food. This aims to introduce Korean liquor to the world through the spread of Korean Wave content that has brought global familiarity with Korean cuisine. Minister Song said, "We will promote traditional liquor to the global market along with Korean cuisine," adding, "We will actively promote domestic whiskey in overseas markets through diplomatic missions and economic organizations."