Beauty Brand 'Sero Labs' Launch
"Research Aiming to Minimize Irritation and Toxicity"
Appeal Filed Against 10 Million Won Fine for 'Admission Fraud'
Jo Min (32), the daughter of Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, has become the CEO of a cosmetics brand.
According to industry sources on the 26th, Jo recently launched the skincare brand 'CEROLABS' and started a beauty business. Jo's name is listed as the representative on the brand's website, and the business address is in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province. It is reported that the company has recently hired full-time employees and is expanding its business in earnest.
The brand explained, "The 'CERO' in CEROLABS means 'zero,'" adding, "We are researching to create the purest products that suit various skin types while minimizing irritation and toxicity." They also stated, "As a clean beauty brand that considers nature and harmonizes with people, we do not conduct animal testing on any products," and "To minimize the burden on the Earth, we produce products with eco-friendly packaging." To this end, it is known that they use recyclable materials such as single aluminum, transparent PET bottles, water-soluble labels, PP (polypropylene), and packaging materials produced from sustainable forests. The products are manufactured through the cosmetics ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) company Kolmar Korea.
CEROLABS recently launched two products, 'Hydration Gel Cream' and 'Soothing Toner,' priced in the 20,000 KRW range. These products are sold through their own online mall and the beauty platform 'Hwahae,' with the toner ranking within the top on Hwahae. Customers have left positive reviews such as "A good toner to replenish moisture during the sensitive changing seasons," "No irritation, so it's good," and "It moisturizes well."
Previously, Jo was prosecuted for submitting forged documents, including a falsified self-introduction letter to Seoul National University College of Medicine around June 2013, an internship certificate in the name of the head of the Public Interest and Human Rights Law Center at the law school, and a forged certificate of commendation from Dongyang University. She also faces charges alongside her mother, former Dongyang University professor Jung Kyung-shim, for submitting falsified admission documents, including a false application form, self-introduction letter, and a forged certificate of commendation from the president of Dongyang University, to the admission office of Pusan National University Medical School in June 2014, thereby obstructing the admission evaluation process.
At the first trial in December last year, Jo admitted to all charges but claimed that "the prosecution abused the Criminal Procedure Act to forcibly indict her." The prosecution rebutted this and requested a sentence of one year imprisonment with three years probation. The first trial court rejected Jo's claims but sentenced her to a fine of 10 million KRW, which was somewhat lighter than the prosecution's request. Both the prosecution and Jo appealed, and the appellate trial is scheduled for the 18th of next month.
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