Appellate Court States
"Nature of the Crime Is Serious"
A restaurant owner who sold galbitang made with imported beef while falsely claiming it was Hanwoo has received a fine in the appellate court, following the same verdict in the first trial.
On June 30, the Jeonju District Court's Criminal Division 3-2, presided over by Chief Judge Hwang Jia, dismissed the defendant's appeal and upheld the original sentence of a 9 million won fine for Mr. A (55), who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on Labeling of Origin of Agricultural and Fishery Products.
Mr. A was indicted on charges of operating a restaurant in Jangsu County, North Jeolla Province, an area famous for Hanwoo, from April to November 2020, and selling galbitang made with imported beef (from Australia and the United States) under the menu name "Hanwoo Galbitang (12,000 won)."
It was confirmed that approximately 3,600 bowls of galbitang were sold by Mr. A during this period.
The prosecution issued a summary order for a 10 million won fine, but Mr. A requested a formal trial to dispute the sentencing.
The first trial court, taking into account that Mr. A had no prior record of similar offenses, reduced the fine by 1 million won compared to the summary order, but Mr. A appealed the decision.
The appellate court stated, "Given the general perception gap between 'Hanwoo' and 'imported beef,' the defendant's actions are of a serious nature," and added, "Considering that the amount of imported beef purchased during the period of the crime reached 1,800 kilograms, it is believed that the defendant's gains were also substantial." The court found no grounds for mitigation.
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