Baek Jong Won Indicted For Misleading Product Origin Claims
Celebrity chef and business mogul Baek Jong Won has been formally indicted on serious charges that could shake his food empire to its core. The indictment, which was announced on March 13, 2025, centers around allegations that Baek Jong Won violated the Country of Origin Labeling Act through his company, The Born Korea. This legal trouble stems from Baek Jong Won’s products allegedly containing foreign ingredients while being marketed as domestic Korean products. The scandal has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s food industry, where Baek Jong Won has long been regarded as a trusted authority and advocate for Korean cuisine.
The Deceptive Labeling Behind Baek Jong Won’s Popular Products
The Seoul Office of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service’s Special Judicial Police has confirmed that Baek Jong Won faces two specific counts of violating the Country of Origin Labeling Act. The first violation involves Baek Jong Won’s signature product, Baekseok Doenjang (fermented soybean paste). Despite being heavily marketed as a domestic Korean product made with local ingredients, investigators discovered the paste actually contains imported ingredients from multiple foreign countries. Analysis revealed Chinese modified meju (fermented soybean blocks) and soybeans from the United States, Canada, and Australia were used in the production process. The product also contained wheat flour sourced from the U.S. and Australia.
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What makes this violation particularly problematic is the location of the Baekseok factory. The facility operates within an Agricultural Promotion Zone, where regulations strictly limit processing to domestically produced agricultural and marine products only. Under Article 59 of the Farmland Act, this additional violation could result in imprisonment for up to five years or fines of up to 50 million KRW (approximately $34,435).
The second violation involves Hanshin Pocha’s stir-fried octopus dish, which is distributed through The Born Mall, Baek Jong Won’s online shopping platform. The product was advertised as containing locally sourced green onions, onions, and garlic. However, investigators found that Chinese garlic was actually used in the product instead of Korean garlic as claimed in the marketing materials. Though The Born Korea only distributes rather than produces this item, the company still bears legal responsibility for the misleading origin claims.
The Harsh Penalties Baek Jong Won Could Face For Origin Violations
If convicted of these charges, the consequences for Baek Jong Won could be severe. Under the Act on Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products, he potentially faces up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million KRW (approximately $68,800). These penalties highlight the seriousness with which South Korean authorities treat food origin mislabeling, particularly when it involves prominent public figures who influence consumer choices.
The scandal appears particularly damaging to Baek Jong Won’s reputation because of his public persona. A whistleblower highlighted the chef’s hypocrisy, noting, “Baek Jong Won himself pointed out issues with a restaurant’s renewal of a health certificate and its failure to label ingredients properly on the show ‘Alley Restaurant.’ The fact that he has violated these same rules for the past decade is completely unacceptable.”
This contradiction between Baek Jong Won’s public stance and private business practices has fueled public outrage. The same whistleblower added, “He has long advocated for supporting local farmers, yet his actions contradict his words. He must publicly apologize for his hypocrisy.” Many fans and consumers feel betrayed, as Baek Jong Won has built his brand partly on promoting Korean agricultural products and supporting domestic farmers.
Final Thoughts On Baek Jong Won’s Indictment For Origin Labeling Violations
The indictment of Baek Jong Won for violating origin labeling laws represents a significant fall from grace for one of Korea’s most beloved culinary figures. As CEO of The Born Korea and a familiar face on Korean television, his influence extends far beyond just food production. This case serves as a stark reminder that even the most established celebrities are not above the law when it comes to consumer protection and honest business practices.
The coming legal proceedings will determine Baek Jong Won’s fate, but the damage to his reputation may prove difficult to repair regardless of the outcome. For a figure who has built his career on authenticity and promoting Korean food culture, these allegations strike at the very foundation of his public persona. What do you think about this situation, Seoul Crushers? Should celebrities be held to higher standards when it comes to truth in advertising their products?