Authorities Launch Three-Week Crackdown on Meat Distribution Ahead of Lunar New Year
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced a three-week joint inspection of meat distributors from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13 to curb fraudulent practices ahead of the busy Lunar New Year (설, Seol) season. Five agencies — the Ministry, the Food and Drug Safety Ministry, local governments, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, and the National Institute of Animal Science — will inspect slaughterhouses, meat packing plants, retailers, ready-to-eat processors, and specialized distributors handling traceable meat. Inspectors will check transaction records, traceability ID numbers, grade and country-of-origin labels, and may perform DNA identity tests if false labeling is suspected. Violations can lead to fines, repeated inspections for a year, and public disclosure of offenders after multiple breaches within 12 months. The ministry said it will also strengthen checks at production sites and livestock markets to prevent illegal distribution as demand rises for Seol.
