Baek Jong-won Apologizes for Violating Agricultural Laws with Foreign Ingredients
Baek Jong-won has issued a public apology after facing allegations of violating agricultural laws by producing products with foreign ingredients. His company, The Born Korea, was accused of manufacturing 'Baekseok Doenjang' using non-domestic materials in an area designated for the processing of local agricultural products. The ingredients in question included Chinese fermented soybean paste, soybeans from the U.S., Canada, and Australia, as well as flour from the U.S. and Australia.
On March 13, a report was filed against The Born Korea for violating the origin labeling law, prompting an investigation by the Special Judicial Police of the Agricultural Products Quality Management Agency in Seoul. In response, Baek Jong-won, the CEO of The Born Korea, posted an apology on the company's official website, expressing his deep sense of responsibility and regret for causing concern among the public due to various issues related to the company.
He acknowledged that he had not met the expectations of those who support and care for his brand, particularly regarding unacceptable mistakes made during the production and distribution processes.
In May of the previous year, Baek faced criticism for a video on his YouTube channel titled 'We Made This Menu,' where he was seen testing menu items for 'Baeksbeer' using a deep fryer near an LPG gas tank. Concerns were raised about safety violations, leading a viewer to file a complaint alleging that he breached both the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act and safety regulations set by fire authorities.
On March 3, Baek responded to the concerns raised about the video, apologizing for causing worry and admitting that safety protocols should have been more rigorously followed. He explained that the video was filmed to test equipment developed for a festival, and that proper ventilation and safety measures were in place during the testing.
However, with the new allegations surfacing less than a month later, Baek acknowledged his oversight in addressing the issues raised and promised to swiftly improve all legal matters. He committed to leading comprehensive innovation and growth within the company to meet the expectations of shareholders. He concluded his statement by reiterating his sincere apologies to everyone who continues to show interest and support for him and his company.
