History
1899-1952
The great starting point in the histroy of Korea red ginseng begins in 1899 with the Samjeonggwa department established within the royal palace of the Korean Empire. As the birthplace and historical origin of the KGC, this is the moment when the Korean red ginseng business was born.
(36th year of King Goyong’s reign, Korean Empire) Establishment of Samjeong inside the Naejangwon palace department
(36th year of King Goyong’s reign, Korean Empire) Establishment of Samjeong inside the Naejangwon palace department
Enactment and promulgation of red ginseng monopoly law (Bill no. 14)
Establishment of 5-year plan for ginseng trials, test cultivation site selected in Buyeo, Chungnam Province
Kaeseong Exclusive Sales Office moved to Buyeo, Chungnam
Kaeseong Exclusive Sales Office promoted to branch office
(36th year of King Goyong’s reign, Korean Empire) Establishment of Samjeong inside the Naejangwon palace department
1956-1995
Completed construction of Korea Ginseng Factory, the red ginseng production center
Globalization of red ginseng, from Korea to the world
The great starting point in the histroy of Korea red ginseng begins in 1899 with the Samjeonggwa department established within the royal palace of the Korean Empire. As the birthplace and historical origin of the KGC, this is the moment when the Korean red ginseng business was born.
Completion of red ginseng manufacturing plant in Buyeo, Chungnam
Completion of red ginseng manufacturing plant in Buyeo, Chungnam
Official first record of “JUNG KWAN JANG” on media (Hongkong, SING TAO DAILY)
Ginseng exports to Hongkong(SAR), Thailand
Export expansion to Asian regions including the Philippines and Japan, along with European areas such as the UK and Germany
Expanded exports to the Middle East
1st International Ginseng Symposium is held
Completion in 1978 of Buyeo Factory in the Korea Ginseng Factory, the largest red ginseng manufacturing facility
Launching of Korea Ginseng and Tobacco Research Institute
Founding of the Korea Monopoly Bureau
Achievement of $100 million in ginseng exports
Founding of Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation
Establishment of subsidiary Korea Ginseng Export Corporation
Hongkong(SAR) corporation established
Completion of red ginseng manufacturing plant in Buyeo, Chungnam
1999-2012
The succession of tradition and authenticity with a new start as a red ginseng company
JUNG KWAN JANG franchise launch and management innovation
1999 Launch of Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC), an independent corporation spun off from the Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation. Playing a leading role in raising the status of Korea as a ginseng production country and continuing the tradition, we have stepped forward as a health-functional food company specialized in red ginseng. In addition, we maintained our status as a luxury brand in 2004 through the successful introduction of JUNG KWAN JANG as a franchise.
Founding of Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)
Founding of Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)
Publication of “Shim” for extra-corporate megazine to customer
Taiwan branch established
Subsidiary KGC Sales Co Ltd. Established
US branch established
Buyeo Ginseng Museum opened
JUNG KWAN JANG Franchise launched
Ethical management declaration and enactment of ethics charter
Award winner, 7th Korea Franchise Awards
China branch established
Selected as No. 1 brand power in Korean industry
Winner, Korea First Brand Grand Prize
Conversion to subsidiaries in China, United States
Establishment of Taiwan limited subsidiary of JUNG KWAN JANG
Acquired Saudi
GMP certification
Launching of Good Base brand
Founding of KGC Ginseng Corporation Sports Team
Establishment of Japanese branch
Opening of KGC Human Resources Development Center
Opening of “JUNG KWAN JANG Spa G”
Conversion to corporation in Japan
Presidential Citation, 13th Agricultural and Fishery Food Export Tower Awards
JUNG KWAN JANG Members reaches 3 million
Founding of Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)
2013-2018
Securing future growth engines through H&B business diversification
Laying the foundation for a global comprehensive health company
After the successful establishment of “JUNG KWAN JANG” franchise, we built a foundation for business expansion and focused on the securing of future growth engines to actively respond to the market. Besides the red ginseng-centered business structure, cosmetics and red ginseng products, we diversified our H&B (health & beauty) business portfolio in the health food field to lay the foundation as a “global comprehensive health company”.
Korea Ginseng Factory acquires ISO 22000 international food safety management system standard certification
Korea Ginseng Factory acquires ISO 22000 international food safety management system standard certification
Selection of “Korea Ginseng Saponin Data Center” by Korea Ginseng Research Institute
Islamic halal certification
Extra-corporate distributed megazine “Shim” winner at 2014 Korea Communication Awards
Second factory (Wonju Factory) completed at Korea Ginseng Factory
“World’s No. 1 Ginseng Brand” certification acquired from Euromonitor
Launching of “Ginipet” brand
First health functional food company to achieve 1 trillion won in sales
Opening of healthy lifestyle café “Sapoon Sapoon”
Cosmetics research institute established for R&D headquarters
Opening of specialized online shopping mall “JUNG KWAN JANG Mall”
“New Donginbi” brand launched
Opening of “LOUNGE 1899”
JUNG KWAN JANG Members reaches 5 million
Launching of “Once in a Moon” brand
Presidential Citation, 19th Korea Franchise Awards
Korea Ginseng Factory acquires ISO 22000 international food safety management system standard certification
2019-
In celebration of the 120th anniversary of operations and the 20th anniversary since the company’s establishment, we proclaimed “Vision 2025” in 2019 in order to make the leap forward to becoming the world’s best global H&B company. Leading change and innovation by expanding our global health and beauty business base towards an era of 2 trillion won in sales and discovering a variety of new materials, we are creating a future that provides a healthier tomorrow.
Announced ‘Vision 2025’ and published corporate anniversary book to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the ginseng business and KGC's 20th anniversary
Announced ‘Vision 2025’ and published corporate anniversary book to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the ginseng business and KGC's 20th anniversary
No. 1 place for 7 years running in red ginseng processed food category of the KCSI (Korea Customer Satisfaction Index)
Acquired “Very Best” standing in fair trade agreement implementation evaluation
1st place in health food category on K-BPI (Korea Brand Power Index) index for 14 consecutive years
Opening of Ginseng Museum Cafe in New York
The first ever registration of Color Trademark Rights in Korea
First health supplement and functional food company to achieve over 1 trillion won in sales annually for 7 consecutive years
‘KGCUS R&D center’ established presence in LA
Announced ‘Vision 2025’ and published corporate anniversary book to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the ginseng business and KGC's 20th anniversary
