본 연구에서는 북한의 지리적 표시제 인식과 관련법 및 현황을 분석하 였다. 북한은 이미 세계지적재산권기구(WIPO)에 개성고려인삼, 백두산 가시오갈피, 고려신덕산샘물, 강서약수, 백두산들쭉술 그리고 평양랭면 이상의 6개 GI 상품을 등록하였다. 향후 북한의 시장 개방 시, 전통상품 및 농업의 보호를 위해 GI의 제도 정비와 관련 상품의 등록 확대가 필요 하다. 개혁·개방 초기 북한의 1차 산업 중 농업분야에 대한 지원이 집중 될 시기 생산성과 효율성, 농업경쟁력을 제고할 수 있는 중요한 제도가 GI라 할 수 있으며, 동 제도의 활성화를 통해 전통적 노하우와 농업생산 품 생산과정의 질적 보호가 유지될 수 있다.

Although Kimchi is a Korean traditional food, domestic consumption has been decreasing steadily and the trade inversion phenomenon has reached a serious level due to the surge of Chinese Kimchi imports. Moreover, cases where foreign Kimchi is transformed illegally into Korean Kimchi are frequent, which impedes the expansion of Korean Kimchi exports. To sustain the Korean Kimchi industry in a situation where the domestic and overseas conditions are deteriorating, it is necessary to positively review the introduction of Kimchi into a geographical indication (GI) system. This study examined the intention of foreign consumers to purchase Korean Kimchi with GI and analyzed the impact on the trade balance. Approximately 42.8% of 500 Japanese consumers answered that they would purchase Korean Kimchi with GI and they were willing to pay 7.8% more than the present price. Approximately 78.7% of 300 Taiwanese consumers replied that they purchase it and would pay 25.1% more. In addition, Japanese and Taiwanese consumers reported that they expected to increase their Korean Kimchi purchases by 21.9 and 22.4%, respectively. Based on the survey results, the effects of the trade balance were measured using the methodology of a preliminary impact assessment using the KREI-KASMO model. The trade balance of Kimchi is expected to improve slightly at an annual average of 11.718.6 million US$ to as much as 27.7~35.8 million US$.