'Naked Kimchi' Chaos... 1,771 Companies Caught Falsifying Origin Labels

Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Announces Results of Origin Labeling Violations in First Half of 2021
849 Cases of False Labeling Criminally Charged... 922 Cases of Non-Labeling Fined 250 Million KRW

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Despite the "Chinese Kimchi Shock," which sparked hygiene controversies after a video surfaced showing a man in a Chinese kimchi factory removing his shirt while salting napa cabbage, a total of 1,771 businesses were caught falsifying the origin of napa cabbage kimchi.

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service announced on the 7th that it had detected 1,771 businesses (2,055 cases across 135 items) violating origin labeling from January to June this year. Although only 67,052 locations were inspected, which is 17.9% fewer than last year, the number of businesses caught increased by 17.5% to 1,771.

Among the 1,771 violating businesses, 849 were criminally charged for "false labeling." These operators will face up to seven years in prison or fines up to 100 million won following prosecution procedures. For the 922 businesses caught for "non-labeling," fines totaling 249 million won were imposed.

In particular, 207 locations (194 for false labeling, 58 for non-labeling) were caught regarding Chinese napa cabbage kimchi, which had drawn public outrage due to the "naked kimchi" shock. Napa cabbage kimchi topped the list with 420 violation cases (20% of the total). Pork (290 cases, 14%), beef (198 cases, 10%), and floriculture products (109 cases, 5%) followed.

Lee Joo-myung, head of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, stated, "In the second half of the year, we will continue regular inspections in cooperation with consumer and producer organizations, local governments, and conduct special crackdowns considering consumption situations such as livestock products during vacation season, ritual items for Chuseok, and kimchi vegetables during the kimjang season."

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