'Mayak Gimbap' and 'Mayak Oksusu' Terms to Disappear...? Government Pushes for Related Law Revision

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Myunghwan] Amid growing concerns over the spread of drug-related crimes, the government is reportedly pushing for regulations on food labeling and advertising that include the term "drug."

On the 17th, an official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "A related bill is currently under discussion in the National Assembly," adding, "We are awaiting the results of the discussions and preparing for subsequent procedures such as revising notifications and enforcement decrees after the law is amended."

The proposed amendment to the "Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, etc.," which contains these provisions, was introduced earlier this year in August by Kwon Eun-hee of the People Power Party and is currently being discussed in the standing committee.

The current law prohibits labeling or advertising that "promotes gambling tendencies or uses obscene expressions," which significantly infringe on public morals or social ethics. The main point of the amendment is to expand this to include "expressions related to harmful drugs and harmful objects."

At the time of the bill's introduction, Representative Kwon and others pointed out, "The current (prohibition) regulation is limited to promoting gambling tendencies or obscene expressions, so there is a concern that names like 'drug gimbap' or 'drug tteokbokki,' which can cause drug-like addiction and social ethical problems, may be exposed in food labeling and advertising."

They further explained the legislative intent, saying, "By prohibiting labeling or advertising that uses expressions related to harmful drugs and harmful objects and significantly infringe on social ethics, we aim to contribute to the proper formation of social ethics."

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