President Lee Jae Myung pledged to support the opening of new export markets for South Korea’s agricultural industry after Korean sweet persimmons entered China for the first time in 17 years. Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryung said an initial shipment of 19.6 tons would be sold at retail outlets in Shanghai. Lee said expanding exports beyond Southeast Asia would diversify market dependence, reach more consumers and create opportunities to increase farm incomes. South Korea and China began quarantine negotiations in 2008 and concluded them last year at a summit held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Gyeongju. Lee highlighted the shipment in a Saturday post on X and pledged active government support for opening additional export markets.