Maryland Korean Association Holds Meeting to Discuss Kimchi Regulations

The Maryland Korean Association, led by President Soo-Hwa Ahn, held its second meeting on the Howard County Health Department’s regulations and inspections of Korean restaurants related to kimchi at the Korean Community Center in Columbia.

This meeting was an extension of the first joint response meeting held on the 19th of last month, and the Maryland Korean Association, the Maryland Association of Food and Alcoholic Beverages (KAGRO, Chairman Mario Chang), the Howard County Korean Senior Center (Chairman Yongnam Kim), and the Maryland Civic Association (Chairman Youngran Chang) formed a task force to gather the positions of Korean restaurants and the Korean community and explore ways to cooperate with the Department of Health.

The participants agreed to clearly understand the regulatory standards related to kimchi hygiene inspection and to support Korean restaurants to respond to these regulations effectively. To this end, they discussed a plan to systematically organize data on the number of Korean restaurants in the county, the number of businesses that complained, and complaints.

In particular, the participants shared their opinion that they should hold a seminar to strengthen communication with the Ministry of Health. This seminar is to provide an opportunity to directly explain the Ministry of Health’s regulatory standards and procedures to Korean restaurant operators and increase their understanding of the regulations.

On the other hand, the attendees shared that some Korean restaurant owners were cautious about making a big issue out of the kimchi issue and did not want their specific business names to be disclosed. They said that they emphasized that they should share their grievances and find solutions, but that they should be cautious in public discussions.

Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation rather than confrontation between the Korean community and the health department, and systematic response to hygiene issues in Korean restaurants. They agreed to continue making practical efforts to solve problems through smooth communication and cooperation between Korean restaurants and the health department.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)