Theborn Korea, led by CEO Baek Jong-won, has been accused of violating farmland laws by producing products using imported materials at its Baeksok factory in an agricultural promotion zone. It is claimed that products advertised as sourced domestically contain imported raw materials.
According to the ingredient list of 'Baek Jong-won's Baeksok soybean paste', produced at the Baeksok factory on the 11th, it contains improved soybean paste from China, soybeans from the United States, Canada, and Australia, and flour from the United States and Australia. Since the Baeksok factory is located in an area designated as an agricultural promotion zone, it cannot use imported materials in principle.
According to the website 'Land Link' provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the address of the Baeksok factory, 359-71 Yeoktap-ri, Oga-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungnam, is designated as an agricultural promotion zone. While it is not allowed to build processing or handling facilities in agricultural promotion zones, facilities for processing agricultural and fishery products 'produced domestically' are permitted as an exception. Violating this law could result in a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won, according to Article 59 of the Farmland Act.
There have been complaints filed with the National Petition Office requesting that CEO Baek and the Baeksok factory be punished for violating farmland laws. The complainant noted, 'This is already the second time that the Baeksok factory has faced controversy over violating farmland laws,' and added, 'I find it hard to understand why imported materials are used contrary to the usual belief of coexisting with local farmers. It seems that punishment according to relevant laws is necessary.'
Previously, the factory was reported for allegedly using greenhouses as storage without permission for farmland conversion. In response, Yesan-gun stated, 'If even part of the greenhouse is used for storing equipment, it can be considered a warehouse,' and issued an order for restoration, to which Theborn Korea Baeksok factory promptly complied.
Later, Theborn Korea stated in a position paper on the 6th, 'From the beginning, the intention was to use the two temporary structures, the greenhouses, for greenhouse purposes, so they do not fall under the category requiring farmland conversion permission. However, using part of the space like a warehouse has become an issue,' and added, 'Regardless of the reasons, we apologize for not properly recognizing the relevant laws.'