Geographical indication and development plans in South Korea: a study on dried persimmons

As a result of the 1994 “WTO/TRIPs Agreement”, and based on adherence to the 1999 Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act, geographical indication (GI) has been implemented in South Korea since 2000. As of the end of 2014 there were a total of 95 products registered for GI, including 32 forestry products, 53 agricultural products, and 11 fishery products. There are four registered regions for dried persimmons in a single product, which is the most of any of the 51 regions (32 forestry products) registered for GI. Accordingly, this study investigates the opinions of dried persimmon-producing farmers and purchasers to increase profits for farmers and to suggest plans for the advancement of the GI system (GIs). However, a large number of dried persimmon farmers and purchasers are not familiar with GIs. Consequently, we were able to conclude that there is a need to continually publicize the importance and aims of introducing GI, perhaps by opening a website or developing a smartphone application. Furthermore, producers must improve the product quality and the government requirements to implement quality control strategies for GI-registered dried persimmons, and to conduct thorough management and supervision of the illegal distribution of dried persimmons that misappropriates GI.