McDonald's and local farmers: Fast food helps fight rural shrinkage in Korea

In the quiet agricultural expanse of Chungju, local farmers have long cultivated waxy sweet corn — a regional treasure prized for its delicate texture and subtle sweetness.

Now, that homegrown staple is making an unlikely leap from roadside market stalls directly into the fast-food mainstream across Korea.

Under a public-private pact signed Monday between the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, McDonald’s Korea and four regional municipalities, global fast food is being harnessed as an engine for rural economic revival.

Announced at Government Complex Seoul, the agreement connects corporate product design with local produce to inject vitality into shrinking agricultural communities, spanning Chungju in North Chungcheong Province, Hongcheon in Gangwon Province, and Jinju and Changnyeong in South Gyeongsang Province.

At the core of the initiative is McDonald’s long-running “Taste of Korea” campaign, which has sourced domestic crops since 2021.

Under the expanded partnership, nationwide McDonald’s locations will launch a featured hamburger highlighting Chungju waxy corn, along ...