Japan’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi sparked an unexpected viral moment at APEC 2025 after stopping by Imunika — the official coffee sponsor of APEC 2025 Korea, a Korea–U.S. startup redefining "Wellness Specialty Coffee."
SEOUL, South Korea and WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A quiet exchange at the APEC 2025 Korea Summit became one of the event’s most unexpected stories. Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s newly appointed Foreign Minister — soon to help steer Japan–U.S. tariff negotiations — was filmed sampling Imunika, a small bio-fermented coffee startup that unexpectedly found global attention.
‘Coffee Diplomacy’ at APEC: Korea–U.S. Startup Imunika Goes Viral as Japan’s Motegi Prepares Tariff Talks with Trump
The clip, posted to Motegi’s official social-media account, drew over 4 million views, 60,000 shares, and 15,000 comments within 48 hours, softening his characteristically firm public image. In a follow-up interview, Motegi said, "I didn’t expect the video introducing the coffee to be viewed more than four million times."
Founded in Korea and the US, Imunika created a disruptive innovation in coffee, representing a new wave of Wellness Specialty Coffee that blends Korea’s fermentation technique with Seattle’s specialty roasting profile. Through its patented bio-fermentation process, medicinal mushrooms are integrated with coffee beans, producing a smoother, lower-caffeine cup that supports immune health, gut balance, and mental clarity — what the company calls "Mushroom Coffee 2.0."
"It was a completely serendipitous moment for us," said Jinhu Park, Imunika’s Founder and CEO. "Imunika represents Korea’s wellness culture — each cup is meant as an investment in oneself, not a mere act of consumption. At APEC, it was humbling to see how naturally that idea resonated among the world’s leaders."
The company’s story is rooted in a personal journey. Park, a Cornell-educated entrepreneur, began developing Imunika’s mushroom fermentation technique with his family after losing his younger brother to cancer in 2020 — turning that tragic experience into a mission to redefine the world’s most beloved beverage, coffee.
What began as a search for healing became a cup now connecting Korea, Japan, and the United States — proof that shared taste can sometimes achieve what diplomacy aims for.
About ImunikaImunika is a premium wellness brand rooted in Korea’s fermentation heritage. Through a patented four-week bio-fermentation process and a proprietary seven-mushroom complex, Imunika crafts low-caffeine, immune-supporting whole-bean coffee made for decision makers and intention seekers
Website: www.imunika.comInstagram: @imunika
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