Charlie McConalogue enjoys successful meat and greet at Korean beef market

Cow stomach, liver, intestine, head and hooves were on display for sale with local suppliers showcasing their best offering to the Agriculture Minister and the traveling press

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and meat market consultant Amos Kim at Majang Meat Market in Seoul, South Korea.

A strong stomach was needed for the walkabout at Seoul’s Majang beef market as every part of a cow was dissected, chopped and on display for sale.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue was on a mission to ensure Irish beef could be exported to South Korea during an important Government engagement in the country.

Cow stomach, liver, intestine, head and hooves were on display for sale with local suppliers showcasing their best offering to Mr McConalogue and the traveling press.

“We don’t do that at home,” the minister said on a number of occasions to meat market consultant Amos Kim who described to us that the head of a cow and its feet are slowly cooked, mostly for soup, in Korea.

Local suppliers were fascinated by the very bemused-looking Irish crowd, who were equally amazed at how the meat was on display, including in large basins of water on the ground, uncovered.

The offices of suppliers where staff were working on computers were visible from the front of the stalls where meat dangled for all to see.

Koreans on mopeds sped in and out of the narrow roads within the market stall, collecting produce in clear plastic bags to be transported for packaging. 

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue secured a commitment to progress a beef access application by year end.

The scale of beef on offer at Majang market did not come as a surprise after learning the average Korean eats more meat than rice nowadays. 

They eat nearly half a pound of meat a day, Mr McConalogue explained, hence the Government is eager to penetrate the market here in Seoul, where its largest importer is the US. 

There are endless Korean barbecue restaurants located in the centre of Seoul — close to where the Irish delegation is staying.

Luck may have been on Mr McConalogue’s side as he had a chance encounter with CEO of Korean meat processor Hankook Prime Meat, Jeahan So.

He, through a translator, informed us his daughter is studying medicine at the University of Galway. 

Having visited his daughter in Ireland, he is aware of the gold-standard produce that Irish farmers supply. 

“We're hopeful, not just in relation to the engagement and my presence here, but the fact that as a country we’ve such a strong presence of Cabinet ministers here, that the visit this week and that presence will help move things forward,” the Donegal TD, who is also a farmer, said. 

It appears the market visit and his meetings proved successful, having secured a commitment to progress a beef access application by year end. The matter is also expected to be raised on Friday with the president of Korea. 

Back in the city centre, it was also noticeable how little Halloween decoration was around the Korean capital, as the community continues to grieve the loss of 159 young people killed in a Halloween crowd crush last year. 

The walls of the alleyway where the tragedy occurred are covered in coloured post-it notes with messages from people all over the world paying their respects to those who lost their lives. 

Seoul's labyrinth-like neighbourhood of Itaewon, a popular nightlife district, was silent despite the busy street with clothing stores, bars and shops as people, including Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, came to pay their respects. 

Survivors and witnesses continue to be traumatised by the horror scenes they witnessed just over a year ago. 

Irishman Kevin Conlon, who owns a business on the street, recalled how civilians performed CPR in the middle of the street trying to save the lives of those who were out to enjoy celebrate the much-adored holiday in Seoul. An unimaginable nightmare.