Corporate History

A first in the Korean canned fish market, Dongwon Tuna has sold 5 billion cans. Announced on July 1, Dongwon F&B credited this remarkable outcome to hard work for the past 32 years since its launch in December 1982. Five billion cans in a row will span the earth 10.5 times (415,000 km). They will also form a stack 19.9 times the height of Mt. Everest (176.0752km). Dongwon Group Chairman, Mr. Jae-cheol Kim, decided to launch the canned tuna in 1982, believing that the demand would soar as the PCI of Korea was reaching $2,000. Since then, the national economy has grown and canned tuna has become popular due to its recognition as a quality product. More recently, tuna has been accepted as a healthy food high in protein and low in calories. Director Dong-man Kang of the Dongwon F&B Food Business Division, explains, nursing "Recently, the US FDA recommended canned tuna for pregnant women, mothers, and children, while Time magazine selected it as one of 16 Healing Foods." He added, "Celebrating our sale of the 5 billionth can of tuna, we are committed to developing more new products to suit your tastes."
<Yonhap News, July 1, 2014>

"Not enough seasoning here." "Can you pass me more spring onions?"
On November 28, about 40 participants in the "Kimjang Tour" were busy making kimchi at the Dongwon F&B Yangban Kimchi Factory in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province. Dongwon Yangban Kimchi has held this "Kimjang Tour" for the last 10 years to show customers its facilities and assure them of quality. More than 10,000 people have visited this factory over those 10 years. Recently, the wife of Nam-gu Kim (VP of Korea Investment & Securities), and daughter-in-law to Group Chairman Jae-cheol Kim, also participated in the tour and made 230kg of kimchi. Jincheon Factory Manager and Director Il-sang Kim said, "Last year, the alumni association of Ewha Girls' High School visited." He explained, "Many groups of housewives visit us because the tour can provide an opportunity for them to enjoy themselves and take lots of kimchi home."
<Financial News, December 1, 2008>

Dongwon F&B (049770) announced on October 10 that it will launch health food business by opening GNC (General Nutrition Center) stores in department stores and malls. The company signed an exclusive agent contract with GNS, a U.S. health food supplier and began importing and selling around 10 nutrition supplements in November of last year. It has recently decided to increase the number of products to 140 and opened stores. The first store will open in Bundang Samsung Plaza on October 21, which will be followed by stores in Geumcheon and Youngdeungpo, in Home Plus and Apgujeong Galleria later this month. A representative of the company explained, "If these stores are successful, we plan to begin franchising in March or April of next year. We are confident that the GNC brand will be as successful here as it is in the U.S., where it is recognized as the No. 1 brand in its field."
<E-daily, October 10, 2003>

Dongwon Industries announced on November 2 that it acquired Dongwon F&B as an affiliate. Dongwon F&B is a food manufacturer/wholesaler/retailer with 15 billion KRW in capital. According to the company, this acquisition, Dongwon Industries’ 15th affiliate, was followed by corporate division. <Money Today, November, November 2, 2000>

Dongwon Industries announced on October 24 that it has received the Presidential Award for Dongwon Yangban Kimchi at the 1996 Gwangju Grand Kimchi Festival held in Yeomju Sports Complex in Gwangju. During the festival, the company introduced "Ketchup Kimchi," which turned out to be very popular.
<Kyunghyang Daily October 24, 1996>

Dongwon Industries (Jae-cheol Kim, CEO) held a completion ceremony for its Changwon Factory located in the Samdong Complex within Changwon Industrial Complex of Changwon City, South Gyeongsang Province on December 6 and began manufacturing processed fishery products. Changwon Factory covers more than 5,300 pyeong on a lot of 15,000 pyeong, making it Korea's largest fishery product processing site. Dongwon Industries is now equipped with mass production facilities to process seafood harvested by its 38 ships. Changwon Factory's main products are canned tuna, canned seafood (20,000MT/60 million cans/ year) and frozen processed fishery products (fish cake/fillets; 12,000MT/year).
<Maeil Business News, December 6, 1986>