This is the certificate of beteulkong beans being entered into the global food preservation catalog Ark of Taste of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity (Dangjin City Hall)

By Gil Kyuyoung

Beans native to Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province, have gained global recognition.

Dangjin City Hall on March 4 said beteulkong beans are registered in Ark of Taste, a global catalog of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity to protect food cultural heritage worldwide.

Ark of Taste is a project that seeks to discover and preserve endangered culinary heritage. As of December last year, 6,110 types of food from 161 countries have been registered, including 118 from Korea.

To be get listed, a food must have ingredients made in certain regions and follow traditional cooking methods.

The designation of beteulkong beans is expected to preserve the latter's native seeds and record the use of the bean, laying a crucial cornerstone for the development of customized regional foods.

"Seeds native to Dangjin have gained global recognition for their value," a city official said. "With this as a stepping stone, we will continuously conduct projects to boost regional value like developing regional specialties."

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr