Korean history holds that the omija(schizandra berries) presented to Korean kings was produced in Dongro-myeon, Munkyeong City, where omija originated. Munkyeong City was the first to create a farming environment that could cultivate the wild omija mentioned in the historical records. This secured the possibility of cultivation. In 2004, Munkyeong City’s omija production became the first in Korea with 45% of the national production. In 2006, Munkyeong City was designated as the omija special zone of South Korea.

The efforts of Munkyeong City are led by the progressive CEO of Munkyeong Omija Valley Farming Corporation Park Jong-rak. In 1990, he purchased around 66,000 m² of land around his hometown in Dongro-myeon. In 2007, he established an omija experience village to promote omija in his hometown land, which was on an unprecedented scale, even with an outdoor swimming pool. The Munkyeong Omija Experience Village is the origin of today’s Munkyeong Omija Valley. In 2009, 9 neighboring farmers gathered around Park with the intention of commercializing omija, establishing the Munkyeong Omija Valley Farming Cooperative.

Omija is not poisonous. Its efficacy helps improve lung health, reduces coughing, and replenishes the body’s energy. It also enhances the functions of the lungs and kidneys. It is also good for thirst caused by diabetes due to its effect in regulating blood sugar. Its ingredients include schizandrin, which improves the inflammatory state of the lung’s respiratory system, gomisin, good for the cardiovascular system, and citrulin, among others. It is rich in phytosterols such as lignans.

Munkyeong Omija Valley is the largest single factory in Korea. It produces the highest quality products using the best raw materials and long-term research and development knowledge. There are three types of omija products: Omija green, omija vinegar, and omija red chili sauce based on omija vinegar. In 2010, Munkyeong Omija Valley’s “Omija Yeonji-ae” was selected as the official drink at the G20 finance minister's meeting held in Korea that year. It also provided omija juice to Melania Trump. Although not Munkyeong Omija Valley’s product, omija makgeolli was used as the official toast at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in January 2018. Last year, the sparkling wine “OmyRosé Kyol” from ‘OmyNara’ was also on the table at the official dinner of the summit between President Yoon Seok-yeol,  and President Biden of the United States. All of these were made from Munkyeong omija.

The omija has taken its place as one of the best in South Korea. However, it continues to be researched and developed without rest. The company has carried out over ten medical and food specialized research projects such as “Prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and clarification of the mechanism of action of new substances in the exploration and discovery of new substances.”

The same efforts have received praise and maintained its reputation in various places domestically and abroad. In 2012, the omija received the world's top 10 innovation award at “SIAL Abu Dhabi,” and in 2013, it received the SIAL Canada Innovation Award and Dubai Gulfood Highly Commended Award consecutively. In 2022, it won the Excellent Award in the Health Juice/Fruit Juice category and the Korean Consumer Best Brand Award at “KOREA CUSTOMER INDUSTRY APPRAISAL.”

Domestic success and international quality certification have laid the foundation for Korean omija to enter the global stage. With Mr. Park’s persistence and perseverance, Munkyeong Omija Valley began exporting to five countries, including Canada and Singapore, in 2011, after a successful exhibition at the Shanghai Food Expo in China. In 2022, exports were made to Switzerland, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, and France.

The aT reverse trading site indicated Munkyeong Omija Valley as the second highest selling product from October to December in 2022. It is possible to purchase through Alibaba in China and Amazon in the United States and Japan.

Munkyeong Omija Valley

CEO: Park Jong-rak

TEL: +82-54-552-9000

EMAIL: prookwin@naver.com

ADDRESS: 2371-5, Yeoumok-ro, Dongno-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea