Drug Gimbap and Drug Pillow... Controversy Over Drug-Related 'Language Pollution' Invading Daily Life

The word 'Mayak' in Restaurant Names and Product Titles
"Let's Stop Using the Term" Debate and Counterarguments
"It Constitutes a Restriction on Trademark Rights and Business Freedom"

As the government intensifies its war on drugs and societal vigilance against drugs increases, controversy is arising over the rampant use of the term 'mayak' (meaning 'drug') in product names such as 'Mayak Gimbap', 'Mayak Tteokbokki', and 'Mayak Pillow'.

According to Yonhap News on the 20th, Park Sewon, a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly from the Democratic Party, last month took the lead in proposing the "Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Ordinance on the Protection of the Educational Environment," which calls for the superintendent and school principals to inspect and publicly disclose the use of product names and business names that severely violate social ethics, including narcotics, within student safety zones (within 200 meters of schools), and to recommend improvements. However, the proposal has been postponed.

Cases where the word "mayak" (meaning "addictive") is attached to product names, such as Mayak Gimbap and Mayak Tteokbokki, are especially common in food. In the Busan area, searching "Busan Mayak" on major portals brings up at least 50 places, mainly popular restaurants.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding this ordinance, the Legislative Policy Office of the Provincial Assembly stated, "It may affect small business owners' trademark rights and freedom of business, and comprehensive review is needed, including the necessity of financial support for replacing signs and product packaging."

Along with this, they attached a ruling from the Patent Court related to the trademark registration of 'Mayak Pillow,' which stated that "the mere inclusion of the term 'mayak' in a trademark does not necessarily mean it harms good morals or public order."

Assemblyman Park said, "Since food competes based on taste and product value, regulating the use of 'mayak' in business names will not lead to a decrease in small business sales," adding, "We will consider re-proposing the related ordinance in the future while monitoring the social atmosphere."

Ordinance Proposals Centered on Local Governments... Calls for Caution Also Raised

The ordinance proposal was also attempted at the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly. In June last year, Yoon Seongmi, a pharmacist and member of the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly from the People Power Party, took the lead in proposing the "Partial Amendment to the Gyeongsangnam-do Proper Korean Language Usage Ordinance." The standing committee approved the original bill, but it was rejected at the plenary session.

However, the ordinance was rejected after another assembly member opposed it, arguing that the amendment to the Proper Korean Language Usage Ordinance could not achieve the intended purpose, followed by a vote.

Cases where 'mayak' is attached to product names are especially common in food. In the Busan area, searching 'Busan Mayak' on major portals brings up at least 50 places, mainly restaurants. The term 'mayak' is attached as a modifier to business names such as kimchi jjigae, gukbap, tteokbokki, bossam, kalguksu, and gimbap.

In Jeonju Hanok Village, one of Jeonju's representative tourist attractions in Jeollabuk-do, 'Mayak Yukjeon' (drug-like pan-fried beef) is also sold. As local governments have been proposing ordinances in succession, opinions have been raised that caution is needed in institutionally restricting and banning the use of the term 'mayak.'

Kang Dongho, a professor in the Korean Language and Culture Department at Inha University, said, "I find it difficult to agree with the view that the term 'mayak' should be banned and language censored in the name of eradicating drugs in our society."

He added, "A more serious problem is that legally banning and censoring language could infringe on the fundamental principle of 'freedom of language,' which is the foundation of democracy."

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