Mokpo City Conducts Education on Seafood Origin Labeling

Guidance and Education on Undisclosed and False Labeling of Seafood for Bukhang Merchants

Mokpo City in Jeollanam-do conducted an origin labeling education session for seafood merchants at Bukhang to prepare for the holiday season and the National Sports Festival, aiming to welcome tourists.

According to the city on the 25th, the training held on the 24th at the Mokpo Seafood Distribution Center targeted merchants operating within the Bukhang Live Fish Plaza.

Mokpo City conducted education on seafood origin labeling for merchants at Bukhang.
[Photo by Mokpo City]

Amid growing public interest and concern over seafood origin due to the Japanese government's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, this initiative was promoted to ensure citizens can purchase seafood with confidence.

The city explained issues such as failure to label origin, violations of labeling methods, and false labeling practices. Additionally, guidance and publicity were provided to obligated reporters regarding newly designated origin labeling items in restaurants, including yellowtail, abalone, scallops, flatfish, and sea snails, as well as newly designated imported seafood distribution tracking items such as frozen anchovies, refrigerated mackerel, refrigerated cod, and frozen southern bluefin tuna.

It was also informed that false labeling of seafood origin can result in imprisonment for up to seven years or fines up to 100 million KRW, and failure to label origin can lead to administrative fines ranging from 50,000 KRW to 10 million KRW.

A city official stated, “Seafood sellers will label origins more diligently, and consumers will be able to purchase seafood with trust, creating a virtuous cycle. We will regularly inspect seafood with a high risk of origin labeling violations to foster an environment where consumers can buy seafood with peace of mind, and strive to promote fair trade through the efficient operation of the origin labeling system.”

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