Permission Granted for Traditional Liquor Tasting Events... Removal of Usage-Specific Labels for Soju and Beer

'Measures to Improve Liquor Regulations' Fully Implemented... "Actively Supporting the Healthy Development of the Liquor Industry"
9 out of 18 Types Prioritized for Implementation... Prompt Revision of Notices and Directives Related Matters

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Promotional tasting events at exhibition halls supporting the revitalization of traditional liquor are now permitted, and the mandatory usage distinction labeling for diluted soju and beer intended for 'large stores' has been abolished. Beverage manufacturing facilities can also be used to produce non-alcoholic products such as drinks and bread.

The National Tax Service (NTS) announced that it will revise related 'notices and directives' to ensure the effects of the 'Alcohol Regulation Improvement Plan,' jointly prepared with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, are realized promptly, and will fully implement the changes starting from the 1st.

On May 18, the NTS and the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced 18 regulatory improvement measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic alcohol industry and enhance convenience for alcohol consumers. Since then, the NTS has conducted a process of gathering opinions from market participants and stakeholders.

Accordingly, from this day forward, the standards for alcohol manufacturing facilities will be relaxed, and joint use of alcohol manufacturing facilities for producing other food products will be permitted. Additionally, the mandatory usage distinction labeling for diluted soju and beer intended for large stores will be abolished and unified under household use.

The tax payment certification label requirements for beer and takju (unfiltered rice wine) have also been simplified. Among the tax payment certification label details for beer and takju, which have switched to a specific tax system, the 'brand name and specification' can be replaced with the 'manufacturer's name,' simplifying the purchase and inventory management of tax payment certification labels and reducing tax compliance costs.

Furthermore, to support the revitalization of traditional liquor, tasting events are now allowed at traditional liquor promotional halls that have contracts for consignment operation with national, local governments, or public institutions and hold retail liquor licenses.

In addition, the criteria for permitting 'alcohol delivery from restaurants' via telecommunication sales have been organized to be within 50% of the total order amount.

An NTS official stated, "Among the alcohol regulation improvement measures, those requiring legal amendments such as permitting alcohol OEM, expanding alcohol additives, and supporting traditional liquor breweries will be closely coordinated with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and are scheduled to be amended by the end of this year."

He added, "The NTS will continuously improve alcohol-related regulations reflecting the changed environment and public expectations. In particular, we will proactively identify and reform unreasonable regulations that hinder the development of new products and technologies to actively support the sound development of the alcohol industry."