Makgeolli, the Korean traditional rice wine, is gaining international standing. On October 9, makgeolli was brought to the luncheon table for a toast between President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama during their lunch after a summit meeting. Also when the diplomatic corps in Korea were invited to a cocktail party in Cheong Wa Dae on the 15th, President Lee raised a glass of makgeolli.

It has indeed been transformed from the liquor of the nation's working classes to the drink for people from all walks of life.

Recently, Asiana Airlines started to serve makgeolli, so passengers can enjoy it high in the sky. You don't have to worry if you are on another carrier: Korean Air also began to put a rice-bread version made with makgeolli on its snack menu.
 
Correspondingly, exports of makgeolli have been rising sharply. According to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the export price this year is double what it was in 2005. From the beginning of 2009 until July, the figures indicate that there has been a 19.8 percent jump compared to the same period last year. Although Japan is the dominant buying country, taking about 91 percent according to the 2008 data, other nations like the United States and Singapore are getting ready to roll out the red carpet for makgeolli.

The government is moving forward with plans to make more high-quality makgeolli; for example, it will support producing the liquor, in line with an agenda to stimulate rice consumption. Currently, only one kind of rice (called “seolgaeng byeo”) has been used to make makgeolli, but the government plans to expand the species to seven by 2012. It will also increase the purchasing price of ingredients.

According to the 2007 figures, makgeolli only took up 2.3 percent of the liquor market in Korea, which is equivalent to 164.9 billion won. The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that it will work to increase that proportion to 10 percent by 2017, and it also expects export prices to jump fourfold from 2008. 

*Adapted from Weekly Gonggam Magazine

By Cindy Kim
Korea.net Staff Writer