Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| Comedian Park Na-rae handcrafts scented candles in the Nov. 30 episode of MBC TV's reality program "I Live Alone." |
By Park Si-soo
Watch out, if you are planning to present self-made scented candles to your loved ones ― it's a violation of a law on chemical products, which could even put you behind bars.
Top comedian Park Na-rae was "warned" by the Ministry of Environment recently for being ignorant of this. The ministry confirmed her violation of the law on Tuesday.
So what went wrong for her?
The warning stemmed from the Nov. 30 episode of MBC TV's reality program "I Live Alone." The episode showed Park handcrafting 100 scented candles at home ― mixing melted paraffin with various liquefied fragrant chemicals ― and giving them to her neighbors and close friends.
The ministry made it an issue after receiving complaints from viewers.
"It wouldn't have become an issue if she had made them for self-use," an official said. "As we could see (in the program), the candles were made with various chemical products whose components would evaporate into the air when they are burning and they could possibly pose a health risk to people inhaling the air.
"What would happen if someone mass-produces candles with toxic chemicals and gives them to others?" asked the official, explaining the reason for such a regulation.
The official said that while the law did not regulate scented candle production for self-use, the ministry's permission was a prerequisite when making them for "distribution" purpose ― both paid and unpaid. A giveaway is considered as "unpaid sales," according to the official.
After all, the ministry recently issued an "administrative warning" to Park. It fell way short of the maximum punishment of seven years' jail or a 70 million won ($61,900) fine.
The ministry said the punishment was decided after taking into account the scale of Park's production, intention and above all the limited public awareness of the law.
Park's agency apologized for her "careless deed" and said the comedian withdrew all the candles she had given away.
