Through the Global Kimchi Ambassador Program, kimchi will be established as a food culture element that is continuously consumed, taught, and distributed within domestic and local food cultures, education systems, and communities worldwide, thereby structurally expanding the sustainability of kimchi’s globalization.

1. Overview and Selection Plan

1. Program Overview

ㅇ Purpose: To establish kimchi as a global food culture through ambassadors and to build a sustainable ecosystem

ㅇ Nature of the Program: A convergent human resource development initiative linking public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and the food industry

ㅇ Operating Organization: World Institute of Kimchi

ㅇ Core Values: ▲ Structural diffusion ▲ Sustainable consumption ▲ Dissemination of scientific and cultural value

2. Operational Structure and Method

ㅇ Operating Unit: Science–Culture Convergence Team, Industrial Platform Research Division, World Institute of Kimchi

Responsible for ambassador selection and management, activity support, performance monitoring, and feedback

ㅇ Operational System: A centralized, integrated management system in which the World Institute of Kimchi oversees the entire cycle of planning → selection → education → activities → performance management → feedback

Designed as a comprehensive operational model that enables diverse ambassador activities to be systematically linked with the Institute’s research, projects, and policies

ㅇ Platform Operation: Use of “Naver BAND” as a communication and collaboration platform

To facilitate ongoing communication among ambassadors, share activities, and strengthen collaboration

3. Selection Plan (Draft)

ㅇ Eligibility: Domestic and international practitioners in fields related to kimchi, Korean cuisine, fermentation, food culture, media, distribution, and research who can contribute to promoting kimchi consumption and its global dissemination

ㅇ Scale: 33 ambassadors (11 international, 22 domestic), symbolizing November 22, “Kimchi Day”

-       Domestic: Open to all Korean citizens (no age limit)

-       International: Foreign nationals, overseas Koreans, overseas Koreans with foreign nationality, marriage migrants, etc.

ㅇ Term of Appointment: April 2026 – March 2028 (2 years / reappointment possible for those with outstanding performance)

ㅇ Selection Criteria: Balanced composition by country and field of expertise (with a focus on kimchi export- and consumption-expansion countries and strategic regions; role-based selection to minimize overlap and maximize outcomes)

ㅇ Ambassador Selection Criteria

✓ Understanding of kimchi and Korean food culture and relevant activity experience

✓ Domestic and international influence and outreach (media, networks, etc.)

✓ Ability to accurately convey the scientific and cultural value of kimchi

✓ Representativeness and sense of responsibility as a national ambassador for kimchi

ㅇ Benefits of Selection:

Issuance of an official certificate of appointment under the President of the World Institute of Kimchi, and opportunities to participate in education programs and related events

How to apply:

Download attached documents (application form, activity plan & pledge form), fill and submit via email to gka@wikim.re.kr

Submission period: Jan 28 - Feb 20

Document screening: Feb 26

Announcement: March 9

Appointment ceremony: April 15