South Korea plans to submit a draft on the international food standard for makgeolli, as part of its efforts to export the indigenous traditional rice wine overseas, the agricultural ministry said Wednesday.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it will officially submit a plan to codify safety standards for makgeolli to the Asian office meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in September.

The ministry said it aims to establish an international food standard for makgeolli and the presentation is the first of eight procedures leading up to CAC international food standardization.

The draft includes basic conditions, including the definition, range and structural elements of makgeolli, the ministry said.

Exports of makgeolli to the neighboring countries have started to decline, with exports to Japan, in particular, having been in the doldrums since 2012 when they peaked at $37 million. (Yonhap)