"Myeolgong Is Patriotism, Communist Party Out"... Is the Salt and Soy Sauce in the Newly Released "Myeolgong Tteokbokki" from China?

"100% Domestic Chili Powder" Promotion
"Seasonings Cannot Be Produced In-House," CEO Explains

Gukdae Tteokbokki's new product Myeolgong Tteokbokki. Naver Store

Controversy has arisen over the inclusion of Chinese ingredients in "Myeolgong Tteokbokki," a new product launched by Kim Sanghyun, CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki. While the main promotional page for the product prominently displays the phrases "100% domestically produced chili powder, 0% Chinese chili powder" in large letters, the list of ingredients and their origins reveals the use of refined salt and defatted soybean from China.

On January 25, Kim announced the launch of the new product on his social networking service (SNS), stating, "We have launched Myeolgong Tteokbokki. Let us enlighten with tteokbokki. The taste is the same as the original Gukdae Tteokbokki." The purchase link he shared featured a product containing five sets of tteokbokki rice cakes (300g each) and tteokbokki sauce (45g each).

Product Sales Page of Myeolgong Tteokbokki. Naver Store

The promotional images for the product focused on keywords such as "Myeolgong" (anti-communism) and "patriotism." In particular, the top of the promotional page, in large red letters, emphasizes that no Chinese chili powder is used, and the phrase "Myeolgong is patriotism" is repeatedly featured. The packaging for the tteokbokki rice cakes also displays the Taegeukgi (the South Korean flag) alongside the Stars and Stripes (the U.S. flag). Beneath the two flags, the phrase "Strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance" is written.

However, the controversy arose from the ingredient list. While the company emphasized that no Chinese chili powder is used, it was revealed that refined salt and defatted soybean from China are included.

Myeolgong Tteokbokki Ingredients. Naver Store

As a result, criticism has been mounting on the product's sales page Q&A section, with comments such as, "Why does Myeolgong Tteokbokki use Chinese refined salt and soy sauce powder? Why is the corn starch from Russia? Is this a North Korea-China-Russia tteokbokki?" and "I am also an anti-communist. That's why I'm boycotting Gukdae Tteokbokki for using Chinese ingredients."

In response to the controversy, CEO Kim stated, "There are people picking fights over the use of Chinese ingredients, but the chili powder is 100% domestically produced. The large quantity of salt is also domestically produced refined salt." He further explained, "For ingredients labeled as Chinese, we use domestically produced seasonings, but the supplier's seasoning contains certain components sourced from China."

He added, "We cannot produce the seasonings ourselves, and changing them would completely alter the taste, so we have not been able to switch. The amount is extremely small," and appealed, "If anyone knows of a delicious 100% domestically produced seasoning, please let us know. Enlighten the public with tteokbokki!"

CEO Kim has frequently been at the center of controversy due to his political and ideological remarks.

In 2019, during the Cho Kuk scandal, he drew attention by referring to former President Moon Jae-in as a "communist." At the time, Kim claimed, "The communist president is trying to change the nation's identity through federalization," and alleged that former Minister Cho received money and support from the Chinese Communist Party through Kolink Private Equity. In response, former Minister Cho filed a criminal complaint against Kim for defamation through the dissemination of false information.

Subsequently, Kim spoke at rallies opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, and after the change in administration, he posted content alleging that "President Lee Jaemyung is suppressing conservative Protestant Christians."