West Sea Coast Guard Cheong Launches Special Inspection Team for Food Safety Before and After Seol Holiday

Thorough Prevention of Acts Undermining Public Safety and Border Infringement Crimes Including Illegal Immigration

The West Sea Regional Coast Guard Agency (Chief Kim In-chang) has been operating a special inspection team for food safety in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday from the 22nd of last month until the 16th of next month, a total of 26 days.

According to the West Sea Coast Guard Agency on the 29th, 23 foreign affairs police officers have been deployed for this special inspection. The main targets for crackdown are △ smuggling and distribution of agricultural, marine, and livestock products △ mislabeling of origin △ market disruption caused by hoarding and stockpiling △ sale of expired or discarded food products, and other acts that threaten food safety.

Exterior view of the West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters building

In particular, the Coast Guard special inspection team plans to focus on checking the origin labeling of imported food products at seafood markets, large supermarkets, and traditional markets, which are frequently visited by consumers, to alleviate public concerns about Japanese seafood and to secure a safe distribution order for imported agricultural and marine products.

If caught violating origin labeling regulations, false origin labeling is punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years or a fine of up to 100 million won, and failure to label the origin results in a fine ranging from 50,000 to 10 million won.

Additionally, the special inspection team will also conduct preventive activities against international crimes such as illegal entry by sea, following last year's incidents of illegal immigration along the West Coast and attempted stowaway on Jindo Island.

Kim In-chang, Chief of the West Sea Coast Guard Agency, emphasized, “We will do our best to ensure the safety of the public by blocking the illegal distribution of agricultural and marine products before and after the Lunar New Year holiday and preventing international crimes.”