Special inspections run Monday through Sept. 18, targeting sea bream, croaker, hairtail and octopus for holiday demand

Squid, webfoot octopus and scallops also in focus over high mislabeling risk

Checks expand to passenger terminals and ship restaurants; false labeling carries up to 7 years in prison

This image is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]
This image is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]

South Korea will extend a special crackdown on seafood origin labeling to online food delivery platforms ahead of the Chuseok holiday, with sea bream, croaker, hairtail, octopus, squid, webfoot octopus and scallops among the priority targets.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Sunday that it will conduct a special inspection of seafood country-of-origin labeling from Monday through Sept. 18 in preparation for the Chuseok holiday season.

The National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, local governments and the Korea Coast Guard will all take part in the inspections. The agencies will share enforcement intelligence and emergency contact networks, and operate a cooperative framework covering joint inspections and investigation support. The quality management service will form joint public-private inspection teams composed of investigators and honorary monitors to carry out on-site checks.

The primary targets are sea bream, croaker, hairtail and octopus — species in high demand as ritual offerings and gifts during the holiday season. Squid, webfoot octopus and scallops, which carry a heightened risk of origin mislabeling, will also receive close scrutiny.

Inspectors will focus particularly on seafood manufacturers, retailers and sellers, as well as general restaurants and online food delivery platforms. Passenger terminals and onboard ship restaurants, which see increased traffic during the holiday period, are also included in the crackdown.

Under the Act on Origin Labeling of Agricultural and Fishery Products, falsely labeling the country of origin can result in up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won ($73,600). Failure to display an origin label at all carries a civil penalty of up to 10 million won.

"We will conduct intensive inspections of high-demand holiday items and products with a high risk of origin violations ahead of Chuseok, to protect consumers' right to know and establish a fair trading order," said Park Seung-jun, director of fishery village and aquaculture policy at the ministry.


adastra@heraldcorp.com