Kimchi and Pork Account for 42% of Country-of-Origin Violations Ahead of Holidays

Kimchi and pork were found to have the highest number of violations during crackdowns on country-of-origin labeling conducted ahead of major holidays such as Chuseok.

According to data released today (September 26) by Representative Lee Yang-soo of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, more than 3,700 businesses were caught during nine special holiday country-of-origin labeling crackdowns (five for Seollal and four for Chuseok) conducted between 2022 and this year.

By violation type, 2,049 establishments were cited for "false labeling," while 1,663 were cited for "failure to display origin."

Over the past five years, a total of 4,375 violations were tallied by item.

Baechu (napa cabbage) kimchi topped the list with 951 cases, followed by pork with 922 cases.

The combined number of violations for the two items was 1,873, accounting for 42.8 percent of the total.

By violation type, 753 out of the 951 violations involving napa cabbage kimchi were false labeling, and 582 out of the 922 pork violations were false labeling.

Among the 1,873 violations for both items, false labeling accounted for 1,335 cases, or 71.3 percent.

This year alone, 241 violations were uncovered for the two items—150 for napa cabbage kimchi and 91 for pork—with 170 cases, or 70.5 percent, involving false labeling.

"Falsifying country of origin by taking advantage of the holiday rush is an act that distorts consumer choice and harms honest farmers and merchants who produce and sell legitimately," Rep. Lee said, stressing that "the upcoming special Chuseok crackdown must also be conducted thoroughly, focusing on major items with recurring violations such as napa cabbage kimchi and pork."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.