"Despite Calling South Korea a Hostile Country..." North Korea's Copycat Buldak Bokkeum Myeon Even Mimics 'Hochi' Character

North Korea Produces and Sells Imitation Samyang Buldak Bokkeum Myeon
"Likely Intended for Export to China"

It has been revealed that North Korea is producing and selling imitation products of Samyang Foods' "Buldak Bokkeum Myeon" (spicy chicken-flavored instant noodles).

Samyang Foods' spicy chicken-flavored instant noodles counterfeit product, North Korea's spicy kimchi-flavored bibim noodles, revealed by Professor Kang Dongwan of Dong-A University. Professor Kang's YouTube.

Kang Dongwan, a North Korea researcher and professor at Dong-A University, recently uploaded a video titled "North Korea's Buldak Bokkeum Myeon Copied by Kim Jong Un? Despite Calling South Korea a Hostile Country?" on his YouTube channel "Tongsaengtongsa Kang Dongwan TV." In the video, he unveiled "Spicy Kimchi-Flavored Bibim Noodles," a North Korean-made imitation of Buldak Bokkeum Myeon.

The front of the noodle package features a black design reminiscent of South Korea's Buldak Bokkeum Myeon, including an illustration similar to the Buldak Bokkeum Myeon character "Hochi." On the back, it reads, "It tastes even better with kimchi, egg, green onion, etc." The noodles are produced by the "Rason Ryeongseon General Processing Plant," and basic information can be accessed via a QR code.

Professor Kang explained, "We are collecting North Korean items to establish a North Korea museum, including North Korean trash that has washed up on the east and west coasts, as well as actual finished products from North Korea. This time, we managed to obtain North Korean instant noodles."

He added, "In North Korea, instant noodles are called 'instant noodles,' and just like those sold in South Korea, the package contains five individually wrapped 126g noodles." He continued, "The design is identical to South Korea's spicy Buldak Bokkeum Myeon. North Korea has completely copied it."

Professor Kang pointed out, "Even in North Korea, the basic product information is included on the packaging. Since the product is labeled as being from the 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea,' it seems likely that it is intended for export to China. There is also a 'Chinese factory registration number' on the package, so it appears that a Chinese company and North Korea's Rason Ryeongseon have signed a contract to produce the product using an OEM (original equipment manufacturing) method."

Professor Kang further commented, "Although Kim Jong Un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, refers to South Korea as a 'hostile country,' it is ironic that North Korea is copying South Korean products and exporting them in this way. There are issues with design, trademarks, and copyrights, which makes this a contradictory situation."