DBKorea is criminally charged… An apology posted on the website
DBKorea, led by CEO Baek Jong-won, has been charged with falsely indicating the origin of its products.
On the 13th, according to the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service's 'Origin and Livestock Product Violation Public Disclosure' website, the head of the Seoul office of the Gyeonggi branch issued a corrective order to DBKorea for 'deletion and modification of labels' the day before. The violation of the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Origin confirmed by the special law enforcement police is related to 'misleading origin labels in remote sales.' The three products listed as violations were soy sauce, agricultural processed products, and doenjang (fermented soybean paste).
The management organization confirmed the violation of the origin labeling law through special investigations, and if confirmed, it charges the entity criminally and refers the case to the prosecution while publishing the violation details on their website. False labeling practices, such as those that could mislead consumers about origins, can result in penalties of up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million KRW.
CEO Baek posted an apology on the DBKorea website pop-up on the same day. He stated, "There were many shortcomings that did not live up to expectations," and added, "I deeply reflect on the unacceptable mistakes that occurred during the production and distribution process."
He continued, "It was my oversight not to carefully examine all the problems raised until now," and stated, "I humbly accept the criticisms directed at me."
Additionally, he promised, "I will swiftly improve all matters, including legal issues," and added, "Furthermore, as a listed company, I will lead company-wide innovation and growth to meet the expectations of our shareholders."
DBKorea has recently been embroiled in various controversies. This includes criticism that the pork in Baek Ham is insufficient, and the citrus content in citrus beer is low. The company faced backlash for featuring products made from Brazilian chicken in a YouTube video intended to help local farmers, while cooking with an LP gas cylinder indoors at the DB Food Industry Development Institute.
Furthermore, the Baekseok factory in Yesan County, Chungcheongnam-do, has been criticized for violating agricultural land laws by producing products with foreign raw materials in a designated agricultural promotion area. There has also been controversy surrounding Baek Jong-won's Baekseok doenjang and Hanshin Pocha's octopus stir-fry, which were advertised as domestic products but are, in fact, made with foreign ingredients.
Image Source: DBKorea
