World? first Bamboo Salt Co. and Insan Food founded by Dr. Insan Kim Il-Hun
Insanga Co., Ltd., established in 1987, produces Jukyeom (literally, Bamboo Salt), which is very popular in Korea for its health-promoting effect. However, Insanga is better known for a health promotion program that includes a health tour of various facilities at the Insanga Estate noted for clean air coming from dense forest and a village of traditional Korean nobilities of the past dynasties.
Insanga is a legendary company in terms of development and production of Jukyeom (Bamboo Salt). It was the first company in Korea to make Jukyeom.
Insanga also makes a variety of traditional Korean fermented sauces. Together with Jukyeom, the annual turnover of Insanga totals 16.5 billion won (US$1.54 million) and the number of members total 110.
Insanga also operates Insan Training Center, Jiri Mountain Trail Lodge and a Cultural Center in Insan-dong Antique Street in the heart of the Capital City of Seoul.
There are many other institutions operated by Insanga and they include Insan Life Science Institute where various products of Insanga are tested for highest product quality.
In a recent interview with The Korea Post, Chairman & CEO Kim Yun-se of Insanga said that Insanga was the ‘Home of Bamboo Salt’ and that the dream of Insanga was to help people live 100 years and beyond, which was the corporate philosophy of Insanga. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Insan Food was established on Aug. 27, 1987 by Master Insan Ilhun Kim (his father) to pass on the wisdom and philosophy aimed at the promotion of health of man.
Q: What was the occasion for commercializing the bamboo salt-
A: Insanga started commercializing the bamboo salt with the belief and evidence that salty foods are good for health only if and when the foods are made with good quality salt. We developed, produced and commercialized our bamboo salt with that aim.
Q: We understand that you have a number of interesting programs for the promotion of man’s health.
A: Yes, we have the Insan Training Institute which is designed to help the participants recover from the ill effects of physical and mental fatigue. At the same time, they can benefit from good healing effect deriving from company, friends and family members.
Q: Please explain a bit more on Insanga-
A: Insanga is the home of Bamboo Salt. It is Korean-style ‘Green Company’that is based on traditional Korean ideals. It is predicated on the innovative idea that “it is good to take in certain amounts of high-quality Salt.” This is a significant challenge to the world's conventional idea that salted food has harmful effects to the human body.
We have taken steps to further the science concerning the consumption of natural Korean-made elements and this is in pursuance of principle of late Dr. Kim Ilhun, the founder of Insanga. Insanga began commercializing the world's first Bamboo Salt in 1987.
Q: Would you elaborate on the development of Bamboo Salt-
A: Since its establishment, Insanga has been placing great emphasis on using the best quality products and continue technical development so as to ensure perfect quality and safety of products.
Dana-Farber Cancer Center at Harvard University, the world's foremost cancer authority, and a wide range of other researchers have proved the safety and effectiveness of Insan Bamboo Salt.
Insanga had already recommended consuming useful foods, focusing on the anti-cancer effects of garlic even before the establishment of company. We have developed Garlic-Bamboo Salt and Traditional Bamboo Salt Pastes, which contribute to the improvement of health of the people.
Insanga continues to make strong effort in research and production to maximize the value of natural products of Korea.
History of Insanga:
2013
March: Received Halal certified by the Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia (JAKIM) in March
2012
November: Was awarded with Grand Prize for Korea Venture Business by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy
April: CEO Kim Yunse appointed as an MOU Professor at the Alternative Medical Department at Gwangju University
2011
October: Acquired LOHAS (Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability) certification by KSA (Korean Standards Association)
March: Cited for Excellent Products by KSA (Korean Standards Association)
2010
December: Exported products to U.S. valued at US$244,085.
March: Received ISO9001 by KSA (Korean Standards Association)
2009
December: Received Certificate for Technical Innovation of Small Businesses from Dec 2009 to Dec 2010
September: Exported products to Taiwan(US$22,868).
2008
July: Established Insan Biotech Co., Ltd. for research and development of bamboo salt, soy sauce, such as specialized in the production
February: Received the best quality product certificate from the Korean Standards Association
2006
December: Received Certificate as an INNOBIZ entrepreneur.
2004
November: CEO Kim Yun-Se appointed as a visiting professor Alternative Medical Department for the College of Alternative Medicine at Jeonju University
July: CEO Kim Yun-Se awarded with Gyeongnam Excellent Technician Award
2001
December: Received Certificate of ISO9001 for environmental management system.
August 1987: Dr. Insan Kim Il-Hun establishes the world’s first Bamboo Salt Company and Insan Food.
June 1986: Dr. Kim publishes a book entitled ‘Wonder Drugs.’