Korean Fisheries Ministry Launches Special Origin-Label Checks Ahead of Kimjang
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will run special inspections of seafood origin labels from Nov 24 to Dec 5 to protect consumers during kimjang (Korean winter kimchi-making) season. Officers will focus on common kimjang ingredients—sea salt, jeotgal (salted seafood like shrimp, oysters, anchovies)—and high-winter-import items prone to origin fraud such as frozen pollock, mackerel, squid, monkfish, and webfoot octopus. Inspectors will visit markets, salt distributors, seafood sellers and online retailers. False labeling can lead to up to seven years in prison or fines up to 100 million KRW; failing to label may incur administrative fines up to 10 million KRW. The ministry asks the public to report suspected violations via hotline 1899-2112 or the KakaoTalk channel '수산물원산지표시' (seafood origin labeling).
