The Korea Confectionery Industry Association held a "Freedom 250 Dinner Reception with Korean Bakery Industry" with the US Embassy in Seoul to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, the association said Wednesday. The event was organized to celebrate the friendship between South Korea and the United States and to share the direction of K-bakery's growth.
Held Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the reception brought together sponsors of the upcoming "2026 K-Bakery Festival in Gwanghwamun" and representatives from the domestic bakery industry ahead of the festival.
US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel attended alongside Cali Stang, agricultural attaché at the US Embassy's agricultural affairs office, and Kim Jin, director of the embassy's agricultural trade office. From the National Assembly, Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairperson Seo Young-gyo and Industry, Trade, Resources, SMEs and Startups Committee member Oh Se-hee were also present. Industry representatives from CJ Foodville, Paris Croissant, Naver, Naver Financial and Coupang Inc joined master confectioners Hong Jong-heun and Ma Ok-cheon.
Ambassador Steel said American agricultural products combined with the creativity and technical skill of Korean bakers were producing world-class bakery products, and that the cooperative relationship between the two countries was extending into the bakery sector.
Chairperson Seo and Assembly member Oh said they would support the legislative and budgetary measures needed to help K-bakery grow and expand.
The event also featured the unveiling of results from the "American Ingredients, Korean Craft" project, a joint initiative by the US Embassy and the Korea Confectionery Industry Association. The project produced 11 bakery products developed by applying Korean confectionery and baking techniques to US-sourced agricultural ingredients.
Korea Confectionery Industry Association President Woo Won-seok said the association would do its best to ensure the "2026 K-Bakery Festival in Gwanghwamun" serves as an occasion to celebrate Korean-American friendship and to promote the value of K-bakery both at home and abroad.
The "2026 K-Bakery Festival in Gwanghwamun" will run from Nov. 18 to Nov. 20 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Visitors can register through a Naver advance reservation system that opens one week before the event.
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