Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct Intensive Investigation on 'Kimchi and Seasoning Distributors' During Kimjang Season

Gyeonggi Province is launching a focused crackdown on kimchi and seasoning businesses in preparation for the kimchi-making season.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on the 8th that from the 11th to the 22nd, they will conduct an intensive investigation targeting 360 locations, including kimchi and seasoning manufacturing and processing businesses as well as specialized food distribution and sales outlets, ahead of the kimchi-making season.

Especially this year, due to record-breaking heat damaging crop yields, prices of key kimchi-making ingredients such as napa cabbage and radish have surged sharply, raising concerns about an increase in the distribution of products with falsified origins or those failing to meet quality and hygiene standards, making thorough investigations necessary.

The main targets of the investigation are ▲ false or misleading origin labeling ▲ unregistered or unreported manufacturing, processing, or sales ▲ distribution or sales of products past their expiration date ▲ violations of food labeling requirements.

Investigation poster on illegal distribution and sales of kimchi and seasoning products during kimchi-making season by the Gyeonggi-do Special Judicial Police Unit. Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Under the current 'Origin Labeling Act,' false labeling of origin is punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 million won. The 'Food Sanitation Act' stipulates that unregistered food manufacturing and processing or violations of food preservation standards and specifications are punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Additionally, manufacturing, processing, cooking, selling, subdividing, transporting, displaying, or storing products or raw materials past their expiration date for sale is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won. The 'Food Labeling and Advertising Act' imposes penalties of up to 3 years imprisonment or fines up to 30 million won for violations of food labeling requirements.

Ki Do, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, stated, "Through focused investigations on foods in high demand during the kimchi-making season, we will do our best to create a safe food environment for residents," adding, "We will strictly punish illegal activities that may threaten food safety in accordance with relevant laws."