(C) Gangwon Province

CHUNCHEON – Gangwon Province has solidified its status as South Korea's premier livestock hub by winning seven awards at the 2025 National Livestock Brand Competition, the highest number of accolades achieved by any province this year.

The competition, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is the nation's most prestigious evaluation in the sector. Brands are scrutinized across a comprehensive range of criteria, including production, distribution, sales, and hygiene safety.

In the comprehensive category, 'Gangwon Gipeunsan Malgeundon' (Pork) received the Excellence Award, while 'Baekdu-daegan Handon' secured the Merit Award. In the beef category, 'Neulpurum Hongcheon Hanu' and 'Chiaksan Hanu' were honored with Participation Awards. Additionally, 'Daegwallyeong Hanu' was recognized in the Organic and Antibiotic-Free category for its commitment to sustainable farming.

A major highlight of the event was the official designation of 'Gangwon Hanu' as a "Masterpiece Brand." This elite certification is reserved only for brands that have won the Presidential Award (Grand Prize) at least three times and have maintained exceptional quality standards. With this achievement, Gangwon Hanu becomes the fifth brand in the country to reach this status. Combined with the previously certified 'Hoengseong Hanu,' Gangwon Province now boasts two Masterpiece Brands, a feat unmatched by most other regions.

'Gangwon Hanu' functions as a wide-area integrated brand involving 1,500 farms across 12 municipalities within the province. Industry experts attribute this success to the province’s long-term nurturing policies and the meticulous quality control practiced by local farmers.

"This sweep of awards reaffirms the superior competitiveness of Gangwon's livestock products on a national stage," a provincial official stated. "We will continue to advance our quality standards and strategic marketing to ensure our brands leap beyond the domestic market and into the global arena."

As the province strengthens its distribution networks, including premium exports to Southeast Asian markets like Hong Kong, these latest honors are expected to provide significant momentum for the brand’s international expansion.