BTS’s Jin and Paek Jongwon Reported for Alleged Violation of Country of Origin Labeling Act

Paek Jongmin and Jin's Joint Venture Faces Controversy Over Highball Product

Paek Jongmin, CEO of Theborn Korea, and Jin (real name Kim Seokjin), a member of BTS, have been reported for alleged violations of the Country of Origin Labeling Act through their jointly-invested agricultural corporation, Jin's Lamp. The issue centers on the labeling of the country of origin for a highball product released by Jin's Lamp last year, with claims that, despite using foreign ingredients, the labeling misleads consumers into believing the product is made with domestic ingredients.

Paek Jongmin, CEO of Theborn Korea (left), and Jin, member of BTS. Screenshot from Jin's Instagram

On the 23rd, a post appeared on an online community stating, "I have reported Jin's Lamp to the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service for alleged violations of the Country of Origin Labeling Act." The author, identified as A, said they personally filed the complaint, explaining, "I decided to take action because I judged that the country of origin labeling on some of the highball products sold by Jin's Lamp could mislead consumers."

Paek and Jin jointly invested in Jin's Lamp in December 2022 and launched the distilled liquor 'IGIN' last year.

Person A raised concerns about the country of origin labeling for two products: 'Plum Flavor' and 'Watermelon Flavor.' According to A, although foreign fruit concentrates were used in these products, the product information sections on some online shopping malls listed the country of origin as 'domestic' across the board.

While the detailed product pages did indicate the use of foreign ingredients, such as 'plum concentrate (Chile)' and 'watermelon concentrate (USA),' the product information sections on online shopping malls showed both products as having a 'domestic' country of origin.

Person A pointed out, "Despite the clear use of foreign fruit concentrates, the product description pages and product information repeatedly label the products as domestic, leading consumers to mistakenly believe the origin is domestic." They added, "If even one imported concentrate is used, it is not permissible to label processed agricultural products as 'domestic' across the board."

It has been reported that A's complaint was forwarded to the Yesan office in South Chungcheong Province, where an investigator has begun an inquiry. Following the complaint procedure, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service is expected to request an explanation from the company.

If a violation of the Country of Origin Labeling Act is confirmed, the penalty can be up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won. After the controversy emerged, the country of origin labeling on the online sales pages for the products in question has been amended to "see detailed description."

Meanwhile, Jin and Paek Jongmin reportedly became acquainted through a variety show and, in December 2022, jointly invested to establish Jin's Lamp, an agricultural corporation headquartered in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, marking their entry into the alcoholic beverage business.