Hwang Kyo-ik Targets BBQ Chairman: "Those in Power Say '20,000 Won per Chicken Is Cheap, So Be Grateful'... We Must Stand Up and Fight"

"Chicken, Cheap Meat in Any Country... Much Lower Rearing Costs Compared to Cattle and Pigs"

Hwang Kyo-ik, Taste Columnist / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik raised his voice against Yoon Hong-geun, chairman of Genesis BBQ, who argued that the selling price of one chicken should be raised to the 30,000 won range considering small business owners, saying, "We must fight against the power holders of the chicken republic who say 'One chicken should cost at least 30,000 won.'"

On the 25th, Hwang said on his Facebook, "Chairman Yoon Hong-geun is a chicken franchise operator. He is not a philanthropist. Business operators naturally strive to maximize their profits."

He continued, "Chicken operators have elevated chicken to the status of a 'national food' through massive marketing since the 2000s. When issues such as the shrinking size of chickens, the overly strong seasoning flavors, and price problems are pointed out, they conduct media play that brands critics as traitors," adding, "Thus, a huge chicken republic was born, and finally, chicken franchise operators became power holders who tell the public to be grateful for paying even 20,000 won for one chicken because it's cheap."

Hwang also pointed out that Chairman Yoon's comparison of the livelihood price and pork belly price to justify raising chicken prices was inappropriate. He said, "Chicken is cheap meat in any country," and "Since raising chickens costs much less per unit weight of meat compared to cattle or pigs, comparing chicken to pork is nonsense."

Furthermore, Hwang emphasized, "There is a way to eat chicken more cheaply. By raising chickens larger to reduce production costs per unit weight and cutting down excessive marketing expenses of chicken franchises," he said, "Consumers should seek out such chicken and fight against the power holders of the chicken republic who say 'One chicken should cost at least 30,000 won.' If such chicken does not exist, pressure should be applied to the government to provide it. Just as the level of politics reflects the level of the people, food is also aligned with the people's standards."

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