Controversial 'Naked Cabbage Pickling' Video, China Explains "Not for Export"

The scene of pit-buried cabbage pickling in the northeastern region of China. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Amid controversy over a video released in China showing a shirtless man using an excavator to pickle a large quantity of napa cabbage, China has stated that the video is not related to the process of making kimchi for export.

According to a report by NoCut News on the 11th, the General Administration of Customs of China, equivalent to Korea's Customs Service, informed the Korean Embassy that the video in question is not part of the process of making kimchi for export.

An embassy official said, "Usually, napa cabbage used for kimchi must be pickled within 24 hours while refrigerated," adding, "The Customs Administration explained that if pickled at room temperature as shown in the video, the taste would be completely spoiled."

He continued, "The napa cabbage shown in the video is thought to be an ingredient for Chinese cuisine rather than for kimchi," and added, "This is not a typical method and is considered a special case."

The controversial video was posted on an online community on the 7th under the title "How to pickle napa cabbage in large quantities in China," sparking debate.

The video showed a shirtless man submerged in a tank with a large amount of napa cabbage, and the cabbage being moved with a rusty excavator.

Netizens raised concerns about food hygiene, commenting, "Is this really where food for people is made?" and "How can anyone eat kimchi made through such a process?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.