Theborn Korea's CEO Paik Jong-won / Captured from his YouTube channel
Paik Jong-won's food company, Theborn Korea, has come under fire for producing a product using imported ingredients at a facility located in a government-designated agricultural promotion zone, a potential violation of Korea's farmland laws.
The incident marks the latest in a string of controversies surrounding the celebrity restaurateur, prompting the company to apologize and pledge to change its production process.
According to the ingredient label on "Paik Jong-won's Baekseok Doenjang," produced at Theborn Korea's Baekseok factory, the product contains modified Chinese-style meju doenjang (soybean paste), soybeans from the U.S., Canada and Australia, and flour from the U.S. and Australia.
Despite being advertised as "made with domestic ingredients," the product includes several imported components.
The core issue lies in the factory's location. The facility at 359-71 Yeoktap-ri, Oga-myeon, Yesan, South Chungcheong Province, is situated within an agricultural promotion zone. Under current law, only facilities processing domestically produced agricultural and marine products are allowed to operate in such zones.
According to the decree of the Farmland Act, manufacturing facilities are generally prohibited in agricultural zones except when they process domestic produce. Violations may result in up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won ($37,500).
In a statement, Theborn Korea said, "We apologize for using imported ingredients without being fully aware of the legal restrictions," adding, "Because it is difficult to source Korean-grown soybeans and flour, we are preparing to transition production of these products to another company in compliance with the law."
The Baekseok factory had previously been reported for another violation, using a greenhouse as a storage warehouse without the proper conversion permit. Local authorities ordered the facility to restore the space to its original condition, which the company said it has now completed.
Paik has faced a string of controversies in recent months. Just before the Lunar New Year holiday, his company promoted a pork ham gift set at a 45 percent discount, leading to criticism over exaggerated marketing and quality concerns.
A meal kit marketed as supporting local farmers also sparked backlash after it was found to contain Brazilian chicken. Paik was also recently fined 100,000 won for violating safety regulations for using liquefied petroleum gas after appearing in a video that showed him cooking near a high-pressure gas cylinder in an indoor kitchen.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.