Understanding specific industry terms is crucial when discussing business or regulations in Korea. This guide focuses on the term for the “Food Manufacturing and Processing Industry” (식품제조가공업) and related vocabulary essential for anyone involved or interested in this sector in Korea. You’ll learn the core term, related phrases for business operations, and cultural context surrounding the Korean food industry.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 식품제조가공업
Pronunciation: sik-pum-je-jo-ga-gong-eop
Meaning: Food Manufacturing and Processing Industry (This is the official business classification term)
Related Terminology
This section covers essential vocabulary related to the food industry in Korea.
- Expression: 식품 (sik-pum)
Pronunciation: sik-pum
Meaning: Food products, foodstuffs - Expression: 제조업 (je-jo-eop)
Pronunciation: je-jo-eop
Meaning: Manufacturing industry - Expression: 가공업 (ga-gong-eop)
Pronunciation: ga-gong-eop
Meaning: Processing industry - Expression: 식품 공장 (sik-pum gong-jang)
Pronunciation: sik-pum gong-jang
Meaning: Food factory - Expression: 식품 위생 (sik-pum wi-saeng)
Pronunciation: sik-pum wi-saeng
Meaning: Food hygiene/sanitation - Expression: 원재료 (won-jae-ryo)
Pronunciation: won-jae-ryo
Meaning: Raw materials/ingredients - Expression: 유통기한 (yu-tong-gi-han)
Pronunciation: yu-tong-gi-han
Meaning: Expiration date, shelf life - Expression: 품질 관리 (pum-jil gwal-li)
Pronunciation: pum-jil gwal-li
Meaning: Quality control (QC) - Expression: 식품 첨가물 (sik-pum cheom-ga-mul)
Pronunciation: sik-pum cheom-ga-mul
Meaning: Food additives - Expression: 포장 (po-jang)
Pronunciation: po-jang
Meaning: Packaging - Expression: 냉동 식품 (naeng-dong sik-pum)
Pronunciation: naeng-dong sik-pum
Meaning: Frozen food - Expression: 즉석 식품 (jeuk-seok sik-pum)
Pronunciation: jeuk-seok sik-pum
Meaning: Instant food / Ready-to-eat meal
Business Registration and Licensing Phrases
Registering and operating a food business involves specific legal and administrative terms.
- Expression: 영업 신고 (yeong-eop sin-go)
Pronunciation: yeong-eop sin-go
Meaning: Business registration/report - Expression: 영업 허가 (yeong-eop heo-ga)
Pronunciation: yeong-eop heo-ga
Meaning: Business license/permit - Expression: 식품위생법 (sik-pum-wi-saeng-beop)
Pronunciation: sik-pum-wi-saeng-beop
Meaning: Food Sanitation Act - Expression: 식약처 (sig-yak-cheo)
Pronunciation: sig-yak-cheo
Meaning: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) - Expression: 위생 교육 (wi-saeng gyo-yuk)
Pronunciation: wi-saeng gyo-yuk
Meaning: Sanitation training (often mandatory) - Expression: 시설 기준 (si-seol gi-jun)
Pronunciation: si-seol gi-jun
Meaning: Facility standards/requirements - Expression: HACCP 인증 (hae-sseop in-jeung)
Pronunciation: hae-sseop in-jeung
Meaning: HACCP certification (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) - Expression: 사업자 등록증 (sa-eop-ja deung-rok-jeung)
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-rok-jeung
Meaning: Business registration certificate - Expression: 법규 준수 (beop-gyu jun-su)
Pronunciation: beop-gyu jun-su
Meaning: Regulatory compliance - Expression: 행정 처분 (haeng-jeong cheo-bun)
Pronunciation: haeng-jeong cheo-bun
Meaning: Administrative action/disposition (e.g., penalties for violations) - Expression: 품목제조보고 (pum-mok-je-jo-bo-go)
Pronunciation: pum-mok-je-jo-bo-go
Meaning: Product manufacturing report (required for each product) - Expression: 자가품질검사 (ja-ga-pum-jil-geom-sa)
Pronunciation: ja-ga-pum-jil-geom-sa
Meaning: Self-quality inspection (periodic testing required)
Industry Operations Phrases
These phrases are commonly used in the daily operations of a food manufacturing business.
- Expression: 생산 라인 (saeng-san ra-in)
Pronunciation: saeng-san ra-in
Meaning: Production line - Expression: 재고 관리 (jae-go gwal-li)
Pronunciation: jae-go gwal-li
Meaning: Inventory management - Expression: 납품 업체 (nap-pum eop-che)
Pronunciation: nap-pum eop-che
Meaning: Supplier, vendor - Expression: 유통 채널 (yu-tong chae-neol)
Pronunciation: yu-tong chae-neol
Meaning: Distribution channel - Expression: 제품 개발 (je-pum gae-bal)
Pronunciation: je-pum gae-bal
Meaning: Product development - Expression: 위생 점검 (wi-saeng jeom-geom)
Pronunciation: wi-saeng jeom-geom
Meaning: Sanitation inspection - Expression: 작업 환경 (jag-eop hwan-gyeong)
Pronunciation: jag-eop hwan-gyeong
Meaning: Work environment - Expression: 안전 수칙 (an-jeon su-chik)
Pronunciation: an-jeon su-chik
Meaning: Safety rules/guidelines - Expression: 클레임 처리 (keul-le-im cheo-ri)
Pronunciation: keul-le-im cheo-ri
Meaning: Handling claims/complaints - Expression: 원가 계산 (won-ga gye-san)
Pronunciation: won-ga gye-san
Meaning: Cost calculation - Expression: 생산 계획 (saeng-san gye-hoek)
Pronunciation: saeng-san gye-hoek
Meaning: Production planning - Expression: 설비 유지보수 (seol-bi yu-ji-bo-su)
Pronunciation: seol-bi yu-ji-bo-su
Meaning: Equipment maintenance
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the cultural context enhances communication within the Korean food industry.
- Strict Regulations: Korea has very stringent food safety regulations enforced by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (식약처 – sig-yak-cheo). Compliance (법규 준수 – beop-gyu jun-su) is taken extremely seriously.
- HACCP Importance: HACCP (해썹 – hae-sseop) certification is highly valued and often a requirement for supplying larger retailers or for certain product categories. It signals a commitment to safety and quality.
- Consumer Trust: Building and maintaining consumer trust is paramount. Issues related to food safety (식품 안전 – sik-pum an-jeon) can severely damage a brand’s reputation quickly due to active online communities and media scrutiny.
- Emphasis on Freshness and Origin: Korean consumers often place a high value on the freshness of ingredients and transparency about the origin (원산지 – won-san-ji) of raw materials.
- Trend Sensitivity: The Korean food market is highly sensitive to trends, including health foods (건강 식품 – geon-gang sik-pum), convenience meals (간편식 – gan-pyeon-sik), and international cuisines adapted for Korean tastes.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun is asking his friend Jiwon, who works at a food company, about starting a small food processing business.
Roles:
* A: Minjun (Aspiring Entrepreneur)
* B: Jiwon (Food Industry Professional)
- Expression: A: 지수 씨, 제가 작은 식품제조가공업을 시작해볼까 하는데, 조언 좀 얻을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-su ssi, je-ga jag-eun sik-pum-je-jo-ga-gong-eop-eul si-jak-hae-bol-kka ha-neun-de, jo-eon jom eod-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Jisoo, I’m thinking about starting a small food manufacturing and processing business. Could I get some advice? - Expression: B: 아, 민준 씨! 좋은 생각이네요. 그런데 식품제조가공업은 영업 신고나 허가 절차가 좀 까다로워요. 식약처 규정도 잘 알아봐야 하고요.
Pronunciation: a, min-jun ssi! jo-eun saeng-gag-i-ne-yo. geu-reon-de sik-pum-je-jo-ga-gong-eop-eun yeong-eop sin-go-na heo-ga jeol-cha-ga jom kka-da-ro-wo-yo. sig-yak-cheo gyu-jeong-do jal ar-a-bwa-ya ha-go-yo.
Meaning: Oh, Minjun! That’s a great idea. However, the business registration or licensing procedures for the food manufacturing and processing industry are quite strict. You also need to thoroughly check the MFDS regulations. - Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 특히 식품 위생 관련해서 시설 기준 맞추는 게 중요하다고 들었어요. HACCP 인증도 고려해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. teuk-hi sik-pum wi-saeng gwal-lyeon-hae-seo si-seol gi-jun mat-chu-neun ge jung-yo-ha-da-go deur-eoss-eo-yo. hae-sseop in-jeung-do go-ryeo-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. I heard that meeting the facility standards, especially regarding food hygiene, is crucial. Should I consider HACCP certification too? - Expression: B: 시작 단계에서는 필수는 아닐 수 있지만, 장기적으로는 큰 도움이 될 거예요. 특히 대형 유통 채널에 납품하려면 거의 필수죠. 먼저 어떤 품목을 제조할지 정하고 품목제조보고부터 준비해야 해요.
Pronunciation: si-jak dan-gye-e-seo-neun pil-su-neun a-nil su iss-ji-man, jang-gi-jeog-eu-ro-neun keun do-um-i doel geo-ye-yo. teuk-hi dae-hyeong yu-tong chae-neol-e nap-pum-ha-ryeo-myeon geo-ui pil-su-jyo. meon-jeo eo-tteon pum-mog-eul je-jo-hal-ji jeong-ha-go pum-mok-je-jo-bo-go-bu-teo jun-bi-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: It might not be mandatory in the initial stage, but it will be very helpful in the long run. It’s almost essential, especially if you plan to supply major distribution channels. First, decide which product(s) you’ll manufacture and prepare the product manufacturing report. - Expression: A: 그렇군요. 원재료 수급이랑 품질 관리 계획도 미리 세워야겠네요. 조언 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: geu-reot-gun-yo. won-jae-ryo su-geub-i-rang pum-jil gwal-li gye-hoek-do mi-ri se-wo-ya-gen-ne-yo. jo-eon gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: I see. I’ll need to plan for raw material sourcing and quality control in advance too. Thanks for the advice!
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms takes practice~! Try reading articles about the Korean food industry or looking up company information (many list their business type as 식품제조가공업). Pay attention to news about food safety regulations (식품위생법) or new product launches. Using these terms actively, even just by reading and recognizing them, will greatly improve your understanding of this specific business sector in Korea! Good luck!
