'Defective Kimchi' CEO Kim Sun-ja Withdraws Master Qualification Return... Eventually Says "I Will Return It"

Kim Sun-ja, CEO of Hansung Foods. / Photo by Hansung Foods

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Kim Soon-ja, CEO of Hanseong Food, who was suspected of manufacturing kimchi with substandard ingredients, has expressed her intention to relinquish her title as a 'Master of Korea.'

On the 8th, Hanseong Food stated in a press release, "CEO Kim reiterated this morning to the Ministry of Employment and Labor her intention to cancel her designation as a Master and requested that 'further speculation be refrained from' regarding this matter."

Previously, CEO Kim had withdrawn her intention to voluntarily return the Master of Korea title to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, but amid controversy, she changed her stance to return it again.

The Master of Korea, regarded as the highest honor for skilled technicians, is awarded to artisans selected in fields such as machinery, materials, and food across 37 categories and 97 occupations, targeting those with over 15 years of experience.

CEO Kim was designated as a 'Food Master' by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (formerly the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) in 2007 and as a 'Master of Korea' by the Ministry of Labor in 2012.

However, on the 22nd of last month, it was revealed that the subsidiary 'Hyowon,' operated by Hanseong Food, used unsanitary ingredients such as discolored napa cabbage and moldy radishes in its factory. In response, CEO Kim immediately returned her Food Master title. Although she initially announced her intention to return the Master title to the Ministry of Labor, it was later confirmed that she reversed this decision.

Some speculated that unlike the Food Master title, which does not come with separate benefits, the Master of Korea designation provides annual support funds such as a 'continuous service incentive' ranging from 2 to 4 million KRW, which might have influenced her change of stance.

Meanwhile, Hanseong Food announced that it has decided to close the subsidiary Hyowon, which operated the problematic factory. They also explained that if the employees of the factory wish, they are considering options for them to work at Hanseong Food’s headquarters or at one of the three directly managed factories.

Hanseong Food immediately shut down the factory operated by Hyowon and suspended operations at the three directly managed factories on the 22nd of last month when the 'substandard ingredients' controversy arose. Subsequently, they conducted internal inspections of the hygiene systems at each factory and, with the help of an external consulting firm, established a safe quality control system.

Hanseong Food added that they plan to gradually resume operations starting with one of the directly managed factories soon.

CEO Kim stated, "Through this incident, I am enduring excruciating pain and will strive together with all employees to be reborn anew."

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