A counterfeit version of Samyang Foods’ popular Buldak Bokkeum Myun (Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen) sold in China. (Image source: Professor Seo Kyung-duk’s social media account)
SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s popular K-food exports are facing a surge in overseas counterfeits, yet the government has been slow to respond with meaningful intellectual property protection, according to new data from the National Assembly.
Representative Eo Ki-gu of the Democratic Party said Wednesday that between 2020 and September 2025, authorities blocked 10,840 cases of fake or copycat Korean food products sold on foreign online platforms, with an estimated value of 11.1 billion won (US$8.1 million).
The scale of imitation has grown rapidly. The number of counterfeit product takedowns rose more than 40 percent last year compared with 2020, while the total value of blocked items soared by nearly 8,800 percent to 7.85 billion won. The takedowns typically occur when Korean companies directly request foreign e-commerce sites to remove infringing listings.
Examples of imitation are widespread. A Chinese company reportedly copied Samyang Foods’ popular Buldak spicy ramen brand, including its “Hochi” chicken mascot. North Korea has also drawn attention for allegedly producing a similar product—Spicy Kimchi Bibim Noodles—for export to China.
An example of unauthorized trademark use of South Korean food brands in Indonesia. The images on the left show the trademarks illegally copied in Indonesia, while those on the right display the genuine Korean brands. The imitations are nearly indistinguishable from the originals. (Photo courtesy of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives)
In Indonesia, local businesses were found to have registered Korean seaweed brands such as Daecheon Gim, Sung Kyung Gim, and Sajo as their own trademarks.
Despite the rising damages, the government’s support for Korean companies facing overseas intellectual property disputes remains minimal. Since 2020, only 14 cases have received formal assistance.
Eo criticized the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for lacking dedicated programs to protect food and seafood brands from infringement. “Large conglomerates can afford legal action, but over 95 percent of seafood exporters are small and medium-sized firms that cannot respond effectively to counterfeits,” he said.
He urged the creation of a comprehensive, government-wide system to help Korean companies protect their products abroad. “To sustain the global popularity of K-food, it is crucial to stop the spread of low-quality counterfeits that tarnish Korea’s image,” Eo added.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
