Minister of Agriculture Visits Common Ground in the Philippines to Boost K-Food Expansion

In conjunction with President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to the Philippines, Song Mi-ryung, South Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, visited Common Ground International Inc., a key hub for K-Food distribution in the country.

During her visit, Minister Song reviewed the current status of Korean agri-food exports and offered encouragement to on-site officials, reaffirming her commitment to expanding the Southeast Asian market. Witnessing the surging popularity of Korean food firsthand, she emphasized the critical importance of logistics infrastructure in sustaining export growth.

Common Ground International Inc. is a leading specialized distributor that supplies Korean food products throughout the Philippines, playing a pivotal role in broadening the reach of K-Food.

[Interview] Shin Hae-sook, CEO / Common Ground International Inc.

“Common Ground and Fair Ground are solid Philippine corporations that have grown steadily through challenges with a firm commitment to introducing high-quality Korean food products to overseas markets.

We are constantly exploring new market opportunities so that more Filipinos can enjoy the excellent quality of Korean goods, growing as a company that enhances our national prestige. Through the dedication of our executives and employees, we aim to become a leader in the future of food distribution.”

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to use this visit as a stepping stone to further solidify the export foundation for K-Food within the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region. Specifically, the Korean government intends to strengthen support measures and expand cooperation in the agri-food sector to ensure a stable environment for Korean-affiliated businesses to thrive locally.

Local industry leaders noted that the proactive interest from the Korean government serves as a significant source of support.

[Interview] Shin Hae-sook, CEO / Common Ground International Inc.

“The reason Common Ground and Fair Ground can take pride in selling Korean products is largely due to the high level of interest and support from the Korean government, private enterprises, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Korea Agri-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT). We ask for continued interest and assistance so that overseas food companies can continue to flourish.”

As the demand for Korean food in the Philippines continues to skyrocket, Common Ground is expected to pave a new path for K-Food through the expansion of logistics infrastructure and localized marketing strategies.

Reporting by Yoo Young-ok, CTS Philippines.