The World Health Organization (WHO) and domestic and international health and nutrition experts are paying close attention to Wanju County.

According to Wanju County, on the 30th, the World Health Organization (WHO) and health and nutrition experts visited the county to review local food policies and infrastructure.

The visit was attended by four world-renowned experts in the fields of food, climate, and public health, including Dr. Francesco Branca (former Director of the WHO Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, currently a professor at the University of Geneva), Claudia Fernandez de Cordoba Farini (WHO Asia-Pacific Environmental Health Center Consultant), Professor Yoon Ji-hyun (Seoul National University), and Professor Kang Yoon-hee (Seoul National University).

Starting with the Agricultural Technology Center, they carefully inspected the production, processing, and distribution processes of local foods at the Yongjin Agricultural Cooperative Local Food Direct Sales Center and the Guiro Local Food Processing Center. They also showed great interest in Wanju County's scientific farming infrastructure, regional agricultural product safety verification system, and agricultural product processing system.

They emphasized the strategic importance of local foods in global responses to climate change and food safety.

During a tea time with Wanju County Mayor Yoo Hee-tae at the county office, questions and suggestions were raised regarding Wanju County's sustainable agriculture policies and resident-participatory food systems, and the possibility of international cooperation was also discussed.

The delegation said, “Wanju County's local food model is an excellent practical example of how to respond to the climate crisis and global food safety issues,” adding, “International sharing and cooperation are necessary in the future.”

Yoo Hee-tae, the mayor of Wanju County, remarked, “This visit served as an opportunity to confirm the international standing of Wanju's local food system. We will continue to strive to become a leading region not only domestically but also globally by establishing a sustainable food system.”

[News Source: Wanju County, Jeollabuk-do]