Korea Food Research Institute


The Korea Food Research Institute is a government-funded research institute in South Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT, supervised by the National Research Council of Science & Technology. The institute was established to develop and disseminate technologies for processing, storing, and distributing agricultural, livestock, and marine products, aiming to enhance the technological foundation of the food industry.
In 2009, the relocation of the institute to North Jeolla Province was confirmed. It officially moved from Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to Wanju County in September 2017.
WWW old.kfri.re.kr/en

Mission

The mission of KFRI is to contribute to public health and quality of life by conducting research on metabolic functions, functional foods, food safety and distribution technologies, and food processing based on convergence technologies.

Functions

  • Research and development of food functionalities and new materials and processes
  • Development of food storage, distribution, and safety technologies
  • Globalization of traditional Korean foods
  • Analysis, information provision, standardization, and foundational research
  • Support for government and private sectors through technology policies, testing, certification, and commercialization

ASEAN-ROK Program

In the early 1990s, based on past experience with German GTZ cooperation, Korea launched postharvest management collaboration projects with ASEAN nations. Since 1994, Dr. Kim Dong-man of KFRI has led cooperation in postharvest technologies for fresh agricultural products in economically and technologically developing countries like Myanmar and Vietnam.

Postharvest Technology Training Centre in Myanmar

As part of a KOICA-funded initiative, the Korea Food Research Institute established the Postharvest Technology Training Centre in Myanmar to address the country’s significant post-harvest losses. This project was led by Kim Dong-man, who directed the efforts to improve agricultural distribution infrastructure. In recognition of his contributions, he received an official commendation from the Vice President of Myanmar in 2015.