WINNERS GALLERY

King’s Mark Rice from Icheon

According to the latest National Brand Competitiveness Index (NCI) survey, Icheon rice, a product of the king’s seal, has earned top marks in all key areas, including brand identity, customer satisfaction, loyalty, and global competitiveness, solidifying its position as Korea’s number one rice brand.

The secret to the success of Icheon rice, a product of the royal family, lies in its rigorous quality control. Icheon City conducts regular checks on 463 residual pesticides, DNA, and protein content every month to ensure both stability and quality.

In addition, we have been consistently supplying high-quality rice of uniform quality through contract cultivation, which enables us to maintain a stable supply by continuously implementing cultivation management and farm education, and enforcing strict quality standards. These efforts have been the foundation of the brand value of Icheon Rice, a product that has earned the trust of consumers over many years.

Icheon City is actively working to enhance the brand competitiveness of Icheon rice, a premium product, not only in the domestic market but also in the global market. Notably, it has successfully exported to the US market for five consecutive years, showcasing the excellence of Korean rice to the world. In addition, in 2025, the organization has partnered with the National Flag Garden to aggressively promote Korean culture and Icheon rice, a specialty of the royal family, through Taekwondo as part of its global marketing efforts.

“This national brand award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Icheon’s farmers, which has earned the trust of consumers,” said Icheon Mayor Kim Kyung-hee. “Going forward, we will provide unwavering administrative support to help Icheon’s premium rice, known as ‘King’s Mark Icheon Rice,’ take its place as a world-class luxury rice brand representing Korea, through rigorous quality control and aggressive marketing efforts.”

2026 WINNERS