April 26, 2024

• 

[THE INVESTOR] Red ginseng products made by Cheong Kwan Jang, a brand of Korea Ginseng Corp., have been recording higher sales on growing demand from a wider range of consumers, including Chinese tourists and children seeking to battle the health effects of fine dust, the firm said on Jan. 19. 

“Recently, Chinese tourists drop by and purchase a lot of red ginseng products based on information that they are good (for countering the health effects of) smog and fine dust,” said a salesperson who works at a KGC Jeonggwangjang store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul.

 

Cheong Kwan Jang’s various red ginseng products. Korea Ginseng Corp

“There has also been an increase in sales of red ginseng and red ginseng extracts made for children,” she added.

Jeonggwangang is a brand that produces red ginseng related products, run by Korea Ginseng Corp.

Sales of Jeonggwanjang’s red ginseng products have seen a boost following study results and new reports on red ginseng strengthening the immune system.

According to an experiment conducted by professor Lee Duk-chul of Yonsei University’s Severance Hospital and professor Kim Jung-ha of ChungAng University, red ginseng can effectively cure skin infections caused by fine dust. 

Among experimental rats suffering from allergies and infections due to fine dust, those given red ginseng shots showed less inflammation than rats given anti-inflammatory shots, the research team said. 

More Korean consumers are also heading to Jeonggwanjang stores due to the prolonged days of higher than average levels of fine dust here, the firm said in a statement. 

“My eyes and neck hurt even from brief outdoor exposure. I always wear a mask when stepping outside, wash my hands when I get home, and drink red ginseng tea after brushing my teeth,” said Jung, a 28-year-old who works in Gangnam, southern Seoul, which is notorious for excessive fine dust. 

Cheong Kwan Jang expects to see a continued rise in sales as levels of smog and fine dust are projected to rise, it said.

By Kim Bo-gyung/The Korea Herald (lisakim425@heraldcorp.com)