History

The year 1899 marked the starting point of the history of Korean Red Ginseng. That was the year Samjungkwa was established as the forerunner of Korea Ginseng Corporation.

1908 – Korean Red Ginseng Monopoly Law (the 14th law of the Korean Empire) enacted and promulgated

1928 – Korean Red Ginseng Mark declared

1951 – Elevation Office of Monopoly

Korean ginseng shined in the global market, leading to an astonishing $100 million in ginseng exports in 1978. Later, the Office of Monopoly was converted to the Korea Monopoly Corporation, then eventually re-established as the Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Corporation (KT&G,) the forerunner of KGC. In 1991, KT&G opened an overseas branch in Hong Kong, gaining a firm foothold for further international expansion.

1987 – Korea Ginseng & Tobacco Research Institute launched

$100 million in ginseng exports recorded, the Korea Monopoly Corporation created

Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Corporation established

Since its launch in 2004, CheongKwanJang has been actively and intimately caring for the health of consumers. Backed by the overwhelming trust of our customers, CheongKwanJang successfully entered the market and has firmly maintained its status as a premium Korean Red Ginseng brand ever since. It is now aiming to make a name for itself as a global general health & wellness brand.

2009 – Taiwanese, Chinese, and the US branches converted to corporations

2010 – Good BASE launched

2012 – Japanese branch converted to a corporation

Won a presidential award for exports in the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries

Ranked first in the Korea Brand Power Index (K-BPI)

Won the Korea First Brand Award