Face Mask Donation Shows Support for U.S. Pork Customer in Korea

As a goodwill gesture to a large U.S. pork customer in South Korea, USMEF provided 100,000 face masks to the Myeong Ryun Jinsa Galbi restaurant chain, which has more than 550 locations around the country.

Funded by the National Pork Board, the effort was designed to create a safe working environment for the chain’s employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Myeong Ryun Jinsa Galbi has become the largest pork barbecue franchise in Korea and is by far the most successful foodservice brand regularly using large volumes of U.S. pork Boston butt for its popular dishes,” explained Jihae Yang, USMEF director in South Korea.

Yang said the third wave of COVID in Korea cut into the foodservice sector’s sales at the end of 2020. She added that when USMEF learned that Myeong Ryun Jinsa Galbi was investing in sanitary equipment to make its employees feel more safe – while also showing its customer base that it is taking extra precautions to avoid spread of the virus – the decision to contribute the face masks was a natural one.

“It’s relationship building and a show of support for an important customer of U.S. pork,” Yang said.

(left to right) USMEF South Korea Senior Marketing Manager Elly Sung and Director Jihae Yang with management of the Myeong Ryun Jinsa Galbi restaurant chain and face masks donated by USMEF