39.8 Tons of Imported Meat Passed Off as Domestic... Livestock Farmer Arrested

Officials from the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service inspecting origin labeling [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Livestock businessman A, who sold 39.8 tons of imported meat disguised as domestic products, has been arrested.

On the 13th, the Gyeongbuk branch of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service arrested A on charges of selling 1.7 tons of foreign beef and 38.1 tons of pork, worth 1.283 billion won, as domestic products.

He committed these crimes from March 22, 2017, to June 2, 2020, at the livestock company he operated and a restaurant run by his older brother.

To evade detection, A paid for imported livestock products through accounts under false names, concealed transaction statements, and falsified livestock product traceability numbers.

The Gyeongbuk branch of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service also applied for an arrest warrant for his older brother, but it was dismissed; however, he was still booked as a suspect.