Japanese Red Sea Bream Misrepresented as Domestic Seafood. While it costs over 10,000 won per kilogram to farm red sea bream in Korea, Japan is known for its lower production costs of around 6,000 won per kilogram. (Image courtesy of the Jeju Island Autonomous Police Force)
BORYEONGL, April 14 (Korea Bizwire) —Three seafood vendors have been arrested by the Boryeong Coast Guard Station for falsely labeling Japanese red sea bream as domestic seafood. The vendors were suspected of violating the Country of Origin Labeling Act, and anyone who falsely labels the origin of a product can face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won.
The Coast Guard plans to continue cracking down on fraudulent distribution of seafood by targeting fish markets, sashimi restaurants, and processors near tourist destinations. They will also strengthen crackdowns on imported seafood origin labeling due to public anxiety over eating Japanese seafood in connection with the recent discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
