Baek Jong-won, the CEO of Daebon Korea and a television personality, is under investigation for violations of the Origin Labeling Act. The Special Judicial Police of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service conducted a crackdown on Daebon Korea regarding the possibility of improper distribution on the 12th. Daebon Korea was found to have violated the 'Communication Sales Origin Confusion Labeling' regulation.

Some products sold online are reported to have breached the origin labeling rules. Labels indicating misleading origins were found on products such as "Baek Jong-won's Baekseok Doenjang" and "Hanshin Pocha Nakji Bokkeum."

The Quality Management Service stated to 'Dispatch' on the 13th, "The investigation regarding the violation of origin labeling regulations is generally conducted in private," while refraining from further comments. However, they publicly announced the violations on their website.

Violating the origin labeling act can lead to criminal punishment, with prison sentences of up to seven years or fines not exceeding 100 million won. In cases of habitual violations, sentences can reach up to ten years and fines can be up to 150 million won.

Daebon Korea is also facing allegations of violating the Agricultural Land Act (Article 32). It has raised issues that the Baekseok factory, located in Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, has produced products using foreign raw materials despite being situated within an agricultural promotion zone.

In light of the controversy, they have taken a step back. Daebon Korea stated, "We will sincerely cooperate with the investigation by the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service regarding origin labeling."

Meanwhile, Baek Jong-won received administrative penalties last month for violating the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act. Footage was released showing him frying chicken bones next to an LP gas tank. During this incident, Baek Jong-won explained, "We had a K-type fire extinguisher (for restaurant use) available and proceeded with two gas safety managers after inspection. All relevant equipment was removed post-filming."

<Photo source: Daebon Korea>