56 Tons of Under-ripe Jeju Gamgyul Seized for Forced Coloring Attempt Before Distribution

The distribution site of non-commercial early-maturing tangerines caught by the crackdown team. Photo by Seogwipo City.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A packing house manager in Seogwipo City, Jeju, was caught attempting to distribute 56 tons of unripe tangerines by artificially coloring them.

Seogwipo City announced on the 14th that it had caught a packing house in Hogun-dong, Seogwipo City, Jeju, trying to forcibly color and distribute unripe early-maturing tangerines.

After receiving an anonymous citizen report on the 11th and inspecting the site, the city found 56 tons of unripe and artificially colored tangerines. It was investigated that this packing house manager was an unregistered manager not reported to the administrative authorities.

The city ordered the disposal of all non-commercial tangerines at the packing house and plans to impose a fine of 5 million won on the manager. Last year, Seogwipo City also detected 160 cases involving 45 tons of non-commercial tangerines and imposed fines totaling 22 million won.