A story about Jeju native black cattle ‘Jeju Heukwoo’ (Image created by AI/ChatGPT)
JEJU, South Korea, March 29 (Korea Bizwire) — Long overshadowed by the island’s famed black pigs, Jeju’s native black cattle, known as Jeju Heukwoo, are emerging as a key focus of local branding and preservation efforts.
Once on the brink of extinction, the breed is now being positioned as a premium regional specialty through expanded government support and policy initiatives.
Jeju Heukwoo—distinguished by its completely black coat—has deep historical roots on the island, with references found in royal records such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. Its meat was once offered as tribute to Korean kings and used in important state rituals.
Historical documents indicate that hundreds of these cattle were raised on Jeju in the early 18th century, and research in the 1960s suggested more than 10,000 black cattle existed on the island at the time.
Jeju Heukwoo—distinguished by its completely black coat—has deep historical roots on the island. (Yonhap)
However, the breed faced near extinction in the 20th century. Excluded from official Korean cattle classifications during the Japanese occupation and later sidelined due to its smaller size and lower meat yield, the Jeju Heukwoo population plummeted to just a few dozen by the 1980s.
In response, Jeju Province launched an emergency conservation effort in the early 1990s, locating and securing 10 remaining Heukwoo and designating the breed a protected livestock species.
Restrictions on relocation outside the island and a government-led breeding program have gradually increased their numbers. As of the end of 2024, 1,498 Jeju Heukwoo are being raised.
Jeju’s government now aims to expand the population to 4,000 by 2030 and elevate Jeju Heukwoo to the status of a luxury regional brand, comparable to Jeju black pork. This goal is part of a broader strategy launched in 2024 to promote the breed as a high-value agricultural asset.
Jeju-raised Hanwoo and Heukwoo cattle participating in a livestock competition. (Yonhap)
Scientific analysis supports the premium positioning. Studies by Korea’s Livestock Research Institute found Jeju Heukwoo beef contains higher levels of oleic acid and unsaturated fats than regular Hanwoo beef, contributing to superior flavor and tenderness.
A 2020 study published by Jeju National University found that Jeju Heukwoo also surpasses Japanese Wagyu in some key nutritional markers, including glutamine and unsaturated fat content.
To accelerate industrialization, Jeju recently enacted revisions to its Black Cattle Protection and Promotion Ordinance. The amendments elevate the Black Cattle Development Committee’s leadership to a vice-governor level and expand its scope to include marketing experts specializing in livestock distribution and consumer trends.
New regulations also establish designated breeding farms eligible for government funding to support reproduction and improve genetic quality. These farms will focus on producing superior sires through health checks, parentage verification, and pedigree tracking.
A scene of Jeju Heukwoo beef being separated by individual cuts. (Yonhap)
In addition, the revised ordinance lays the groundwork for a direct payment system to stabilize income for black cattle farmers and incentivize herd expansion.
Officials hope that the strengthened legal and institutional framework will help transform Jeju Heukwoo from a heritage breed into a globally competitive agricultural brand.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
