Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Lands in Seoul... Nationwide Promotion Campaign at the National Assembly

[Financial News] Pohang City has launched a nationwide promotional campaign, holding an event at the National Assembly to coincide with the production and shipping season for Guryongpo gwamegi, a winter specialty. The Guryongpo Gwamegi Festival and sales and promotional events in major parts of the capital region, including Seoul Station, will follow.
According to Pohang City on the 4th, the “2026 Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Seoul Promotion Event” was held that day at 10:30 a.m. in Seminar Room 1 of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building. The event showcased the taste and nutritional value of Guryongpo gwamegi through a variety of dishes made with gwamegi and tasting programs. Comedian Jung Bum-kyun and Kim Young-hee, known as “Grandma Malja, the Communication Queen,” also took part in the promotional event.
Pohang City will hold the “Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Festival” from the 7th to the 8th at and around Ara Plaza in Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu. Starting on the 16th at Seoul Station, it will also hold gwamegi sales and promotional events at major locations around the capital region. Other seafood produced in Pohang will also be showcased at these events. Promotional activities will continue through the end of the year.
Guryongpo gwamegi is mainly produced from November through February of the following year. It is dried using the cold winter sea winds of the East Sea and is known for its chewy texture and savory flavor. It contains protein and omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, which are known as nutrients that may help improve blood triglyceride levels and maintain healthy blood circulation.
Pohang Mayor Park Yong-seon explained, “Pohang Guryongpo gwamegi is one of Pohang’s signature specialties, made from the pristine waters of the East Sea and winter sea breezes, and its flavor deepens further when cold winds blow.” He added, “We produce Pohang Guryongpo gwamegi that consumers can trust and seek out through rigorous hygiene and quality control.”
This year, however, producers are struggling to secure raw materials as the catch of saury, the main ingredient in gwamegi, has declined. With saury raw-material prices rising by nearly 40% compared with previous years, the local shipping price of gwamegi has also increased by about 20% from last year. The possibility has also been raised that production could be reduced or halted early depending on raw-material supply.
Jang Cheon-su, chairman of the Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Business Cooperative, said, “Although the price of incoming saury raw materials has risen by nearly 40% compared with previous years, our members have cut the shipping price as much as possible for consumers.”

[email protected] Jeong Ji-woo Reporter