Kyochon Chicken, a premium fried chicken brand, sparked controversy for “shrinkflation” after significantly reducing the portion size of its boneless chicken while keeping prices unchanged.
On September 12, the company cut the pre-cooked weight of major boneless menu items from 700 grams to 500 grams—a reduction of about 30 percent. (Photo courtesy of Kyochon Chicken)
SEJONG, Nov. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s agriculture minister said Wednesday that restaurant companies should be required to inform customers when they reduce product sizes, as public anger grows over so-called “shrinkflation” — the practice of cutting portions while keeping prices the same.
“It is a matter of consumers’ right to know,” Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong told reporters at a briefing in Sejong. “Businesses have a duty to inform customers in advance,” she said, adding that regulations could vary by product category.
Her remarks came after fried chicken chain Kyochon F&B faced backlash in September for shrinking its boneless chicken portions by about 30 percent while mixing in cheaper chicken breast, effectively raising prices. The company later restored the original size following consumer criticism.
Song said the ministry learned of Kyochon’s changes after the fact, noting that “communication with the industry needs to be strengthened.” Earlier this week, the ministry summoned major restaurant operators, urging them to refrain from practices that could damage public trust. The Fair Trade Commission and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are expected to announce anti-shrinkflation measures later this month.
Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong speaks during a press briefing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs headquarters in Sejong on November 5. (Yonhap)
The press conference also touched on a range of agricultural policy issues, including the government’s pilot program for universal basic income in rural areas. Song said regional governments had called for expanding state funding and coverage, adding that “if the proposal proves reasonable, the government may review it during budget deliberations.”
The Agriculture Ministry recently selected seven counties, including Yeoncheon, Jeongseon and Shinan, for the 2026–2027 pilot program. The central government will fund 40 percent of the cost, with the remainder covered by provincial and county administrations.
Song also addressed trade and export initiatives following the APEC summit in Gyeongju, where South Korea secured new opportunities to promote beef, pork and persimmons abroad. She said the ministry plans to publish an annual “trade barrier report” similar to that of the United States to identify promising products and accelerate quarantine negotiations.
Commenting on rising rice prices, Song said consumer prices peaked at 68,000 won per 20 kilograms in early October but have since begun to stabilize. She also vowed to reform income accounting methods to better reflect farm subsidies in agricultural income statistics.
Regarding corruption allegations in agricultural cooperatives, Song said the ministry would launch audits and consider institutional reforms “if wrongdoing is found.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
