Seoul: South Korean "ramyun" and confectionary maker Nongshim Co. announced plans to open a sales branch in Russia next month. This move aligns with the company's strategy to enhance its international market reach, as revealed during a press conference in Seoul.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the expansion into Moscow is propelled by increasing demand for South Korean ramyun products in Russia, influenced by the Korean Wave. Jo Yong-chul, the CEO of Nongshim, highlighted that Russia imported Korean ramyun worth US$52 million last year, marking a 58 percent increase from the previous year.

The press conference also commemorated the 40th anniversary of Nongshim's flagship product, Shin Ramyun. Since its debut in 1986, the company has sold 42.5 billion packets of Shin Ramyun, generating over 20 trillion won in sales. Of these sales, 40 percent were from international markets, particularly in North America, China, and Japan.

Jo emphasized the significance of Shin Ramyun's global sales milestone, stating the company's intent to solidify its position as a leading K-food brand in the international arena. Additionally, Nongshim unveiled plans to introduce a rose-flavored Shin Ramyun in South Korea and Japan next Monday, with a global release set for the following month. The new flavor combines cream and tomato sauce with the original spicy recipe, inspired by a popular online consumer-created recipe.