Seogwipo City Cracks Down on Direct Sales of Non-Standard Mandarins, Plans to Impose Fines
"Ugly Mandarins" and Other Parcel Transactions Also Violate Local Ordinance
Seogwipo City has urged caution among farmers and consumers after cases were discovered where non-standard mandarins were sold directly through social media platforms under phrases such as "ugly mandarins."
On December 18, Seogwipo City announced that it had identified farms selling non-standard mandarins directly via social media and would impose administrative penalties, including fines. The city received complaints about online direct sales of non-standard mandarins under labels such as "ugly mandarins" and "home-use mandarins," and upon inspecting a delivery site the previous day, found violations of local ordinances.
An influencer sold 10kg of Pachigul for around 30,000 won through social media, sparking a quality controversy. Screenshot from social media
Jeju mandarins are managed according to quality standards set by the "Ordinance on the Production and Distribution of Mandarins." The shipment of non-standard mandarins that do not meet these standards is strictly restricted, as it can negatively impact both the overall price and reputation of Jeju mandarins.
According to the ordinance, mandarins are classified as non-standard not only if they fail to meet size and sweetness criteria, but also if their marketability is reduced due to factors such as rot, spoilage, sunburn, pests, or damage. Even if such non-standard mandarins are sold directly via courier, social media, or blogs, this constitutes a violation of the ordinance and is subject to fines.
Yoo Jiho, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Economy at Seogwipo City, stated, "There is a clear difference between mandarins that are simply less attractive in appearance and mandarins whose distribution is outright illegal. We will eradicate unscrupulous practices that deceive consumers and damage the reputation of Jeju mandarins, ensuring that only quality mandarins that consumers can trust are distributed."
Previously, an influencer sparked controversy after selling so-called "Pachigul" (lower-grade mandarins) on social media, leading to quality concerns such as mold. The influencer, identified as A, promoted a group purchase of mandarins on a social media thread, describing them as "thin-skinned, densely packed home-use mixed fruits," and claimed, "Each fruit is hand-selected," "Sweetness above 14 Brix. Ugly but delicious."
The influencer sold 10 kg of Pachigul for 33,000 won including delivery, but the actual condition of the mandarins received by consumers was severe. The boxes contained mandarins that were moldy, rotten, mushy, shriveled, or infested with insects. As a result, many buyers demanded refunds, and administrative authorities reportedly recommended that A implement a voluntary refund policy.
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