S. Korea uses blockchain technology to trace beef supply chain
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Tuesday it will use blockchain technology to track beef through the supply chain to provide consumers with information about the source of their food.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Science and ICT will jointly launch the pilot program in cattle farms and slaughterhouses in North Jeolla Province by December.
After a trial period, the system will be formally launched in January 2019, the ministries said in a joint release.
The current cattle tracing system provides information from birth to slaughter, packaging and sales to ensure the safety of the meat. The paper-based reporting system, however, takes time and money, and is exposed to risks of fake certificates.
The new platform uses blockchain technology to store related information and certificates in the distributed ledger to enhance efficiency and credibility, the ministries said.

Lee Su-hyun (L), the chief of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Inc., checks beef's origin and supply chain with a cattle tracing system at a discount mart in Seoul on Jan. 31, 2018. (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' J-Hope tries long hair in photo book to be released this month
-
Ruling party, gov't mulling expanding heating bill support for middle class
-
DP hits back at Yoon's office over stock manipulation allegations involving first lady
-
Candidate registration opens for PPP leadership race
-
(LEAD) Candidate registration opens for PPP leadership race
-
DP hits back at Yoon's office over stock manipulation allegations involving first lady
-
Jay Park's Won Soju to be sold in U.S.
-
(2nd LD) Search under way for 9 missing after fishing boat capsizes
-
(LEAD) Ahn calls off campaigning activities amid row with Yoon's office
-
Ruling party, gov't mulling expanding heating bill support for middle class
-
BTS fails to win Grammy for 3rd consecutive year
-
Son Heung-min partially wins lawsuit filed by former agent
-
S. Korea closely watching N. Korea's 'increased' activities to prepare for military parade: Seoul official
-
(LEAD) 23 Thai tourists out of contact after arriving in Muan Int'l Airport
-
Apparent N.K. weather balloon enters S. Korean airspace earlier this week: Seoul's military