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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, November 10, 2025 — The Seoul Gangnam Police have decided not to refer celebrity chef Baek Jong-won to prosecutors over allegations that his company, The Born Korea, falsely labeled the origin of ingredients in its ready-meal products.
According to police and industry officials, investigators concluded late last month that Baek could not be held criminally liable under the Food Labeling and Advertising Act, citing insufficient evidence of intent or direct involvement. However, The Born Korea corporation and two employees were referred to prosecutors without detention for possible violations of disclosure obligations.
The investigation stemmed from complaints that The Born’s instant meal “Deopjuk” was advertised as using “domestic kelp” and “wild-caught shrimp,” though it contained some Vietnamese farmed shrimp, and that Back Dabang’s sweet-potato bread was marketed with the phrase “Korean produce” while using certain Chinese-sourced ingredients.
Baek appeared for questioning in September and was interrogated for roughly five hours.
A company spokesperson said The Born Korea “has completed a comprehensive internal review and implemented corrective measures to prevent recurrence.”
Separately, four other accusations — including alleged use of non-certified grill plates, repurposed pesticide sprayers, unauthorized ‘char-grill’ equipment, and improperly stored O’Tell Ham products — were closed at the preliminary-investigation stage after police found no violations of the Food Sanitation Act.
The Born Korea added that these cases originated from “a single individual filing nearly 100 repetitive or overlapping complaints with multiple agencies,” and said it continues to cooperate fully with authorities.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
