Yeosu-si Conducts Special Inspection of Seafood Origin Labeling Ahead of Lunar New Year

Operation of Joint Inspection Team

Yeosu-si in South Jeolla Province is conducting a special inspection of seafood origin labeling through February 13 in preparation for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

The city has organized a joint inspection team consisting of 10 honorary inspectors for seafood origin labeling from the city, 2 officials from the Yeosu branch of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, and 2 officers from the Yeosu Coast Guard. The team plans to provide guidance and carry out crackdowns focusing on major traditional markets and large discount stores within the jurisdiction.

Yeosu City will carry out a nine-day special inspection of seafood origin labeling from February 5 to 13 ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Provided by Yeosu City

This special inspection will target fishery products for ancestral rites, such as yellow croaker, octopus, sea bream species, and ark shell species, for which demand is expected to surge, as well as croaker, abalone, and anchovy, which are widely sold as seafood gifts. In addition, scallops, red sea bream, and sea squirts imported in large quantities from Japan will also be key items subject to inspection.

If the country of origin is not indicated or is falsely indicated, a fine of up to 10 million won, or imprisonment for up to seven years, or a fine of up to 100 million won may be imposed. In addition, if restaurants fail to indicate any of the 20 seafood items that are required to be labeled with their country of origin, a fine of 300,000 won will be imposed.

An official from the city said, "We will continue to strengthen guidance and crackdowns on seafood origin labeling to protect consumers' right to know and to establish a transparent distribution system for seafood."

Meanwhile, as public concern over the safety of seafood has grown following the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Yeosu-si has been working to ensure a safe supply of seafood by conducting a total of 86,327 radiation tests and origin labeling inspections at traditional markets and fish auction houses within the city as of last year.

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