On June 12, Peruvian Ambassador to Korea Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi made an official visit to Goesan County in Chungcheongbuk-do, one of South Korea’s premier potato-producing regions, to mark World Potato Day. This historic visit was organized in collaboration with the Goesan County Saemaul Association to establish cultural and agricultural technology exchanges between Peru—the birthplace of the potato with over 4,000 native varieties—and Goesan, renowned for its high-quality seed potatoes. A meeting held at the Saemaul Hall brought together Vice Governor Lee Su-hyeon, Ambassador Duclos Parodi, and local leaders to discuss mutual cooperation. The gathering featured a tasting of “Causa Rellena,” Peru’s iconic layered potato dish, symbolizing the culinary bridge between the two nations. The Ambassador also attended the 15th Goesan Potato Festival, where he personally joined in the potato digging experience and later toured the Goesan Agricultural Research Institute to observe cutting-edge seed potato production technologies, exchanging ideas on future agricultural collaboration.
Goesan County Governor Song In-heon expressed his honor at hosting the Peruvian delegation and emphasized the potato as a common foundation for building a sustainable agricultural partnership that extends beyond technology to encompass cultural exchange. Peru, home to the International Potato Center (CIP), preserves remarkable potato heritage including “Chuño” (freeze-dried potatoes) and “Tocosh” (fermented potatoes), making this visit a significant step toward deep-rooted collaboration. Both sides look forward to expanding exchanges in research, farming techniques, and traditional food culture, solidifying a cross-border friendship that celebrates the potato’s global legacy.
