Explanation Regarding Alleged Violations of the Farmland Act, Mountainous Area Management Act, and Building Act
No Comments on Other Controversies Such as the Baek Ham Gift Set
Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, who was recently accused of violating the Farmland Act, Mountainous Area Management Act, and Building Act, has clarified some of the controversies.
On the 5th, The Born Korea began its official statement by saying, "We deeply apologize for unintentionally causing public concern regarding the violations of the Farmland Act, Mountainous Area Management Act, and Building Act related to the Baekseok factory and the Yeduk Academy school corporation." It continued, "We will take this opportunity to thoroughly review our internal processes and systems to ensure compliance and will do our utmost to adhere to the law."
However, regarding the recent controversies, the company stated it would correct the facts. The Born Korea explained, "There have been reports in the media containing inaccurate information, severely damaging the social reputation and honor of our company, Yeduk Academy, and related executives and employees," adding, "We are issuing this statement to correct the inaccuracies and clarify the facts more precisely."
First, concerning the alleged violation of the Farmland Act at the Baekseok factory, the company asserted, "Reports claiming that the Baekseok factory illegally used a warehouse without farmland conversion permission from the beginning are not true," and added, "The Baekseok factory intended to use two temporary vinyl greenhouses as greenhouses from the start, so it was not subject to farmland conversion permission." They further stated, "In fact, the greenhouses have been used as such, and only some leftover space in the greenhouses was used to store equipment."
The Born Korea also denied allegations that the Baekseok factory used farmland owned by the Yeduk Academy school corporation without permission. The company stated, "The Baekseok factory signed a lease agreement with Yeduk Academy for the farmland and paid rent accordingly," and refuted reports claiming that CEO Baek Jong-won owned the farmland. The farmland has never changed ownership since Yeduk Academy acquired it.
Regarding some media reports that The Born Korea inquired about the identity of a whistleblower with the Yesan Police Station, the company emphasized, "We never made such inquiries," and stressed, "These false reports have seriously damaged our corporate ethics and the reputation of those involved."
Finally, The Born Korea expressed significant concern over the malicious spread of inaccurate reports and stated, "We have issued this statement to correct the falsehoods, and we will be forced to take legal action against any further false or exaggerated reports." They also dismissed rumors about reconsidering participation in the Namwon Chunhyang Festival, stating, "We plan to continue supporting the Namwon Chunhyang Festival this year so that it can remain a representative festival of South Korea."
Additionally, The Born Korea has been embroiled in various controversies recently, including the 'Baek Ham gift set price and quality controversy,' 'tangerine content,' and 'Brazilian chicken meal kits,' but has not issued any specific statements regarding these matters.
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