The Korea Customs Service (KCS) will launch a three-week enforcement operation targeting false country-of-origin labeling of imported kimchi during the kimjang season.
According to KCS, the nationwide inspection will take place from November 13 to December 5. The initiative comes amid rising kimchi imports and a sharp increase in cabbage imports compared to last year, raising concerns that lower-priced imported kimchi could be sold as domestically produced.
The operation will focus on exporters, importers, and wholesale and retail businesses dealing in kimchi and similar products. Inspectors will target practices such as disguising imported, low-cost kimchi as domestic to sell or export at higher prices, failing to label the country of origin, or mislabeling it after basic manufacturing, processing, or repackaging in Korea.
On-site inspections will be carried out across 31 customs offices nationwide. Companies with a high likelihood of violating labeling rules will be selected through data analysis linking import-export records and domestic transaction information.
If violations are identified, KCS will impose fines and penalty surcharges under the relevant laws and may refer cases for criminal investigation.
Lee Myeong-gu, commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, said, "We will do our best in enforcing country-of-origin labeling to prevent relabeled imported foods that could threaten public health and safety from circulating in the market, and to ensure there is no damage to the reputation of 'K-food' in the global market."
The measure aims to strengthen traceability and consumer trust during the peak kimchi-making season, when demand for ingredients such as cabbage is high and imports are used to supplement local production.
Source: ChosunBiz
