A beauty brand launched by singer Jeon So-mi used the Red Cross logo without permission during product promotion, sparking controversy, and the brand apologized and promised to prevent recurrence.
On the 7th, Vuel Korea posted a long message saying, "There were recent reports that our CEO and Jeon So-mi were reported for using a design similar to the Korean Red Cross's Red Cross emblem. We would like to clearly convey the facts."
The brand said, "Immediately after recognizing the problem, we stopped exposing the related content and directly communicated by speaking with the Korean Red Cross Seoul branch and the relevant staff. We also started discussions to faithfully carry out all necessary measures through consultation and published an official apology containing that content on the 6th," it said.
The report filed that day was not one received by the Korean Red Cross but was submitted by a third party, Vuel said, adding, "We received an official reply from the Korean Red Cross thanking us for our self-correction efforts and saying it has no intention of pursuing legal action such as filing a lawsuit. Therefore, this matter has been resolved through amicable consultation with the Korean Red Cross."
Vuel added, "As explained in the official apology, the design was a design element carelessly used in the process of visually expressing the concept 'Emotion Emergency Kit,' and we once again make clear that it was not an intentional act to violate the law."
The brand said, "We have completely stopped using the problematic design and strengthened the design and communication review process. We will do our best to prevent similar cases from recurring," and bowed, saying, "We deeply apologize once again for the inconvenience caused by the lack of awareness about using public emblems."
Below is Vuel Korea's full official statement
Hello, this is Vuel Korea.
Recently, some media reported that our representative director and Jeon So-mi were reported for using a design similar to the Korean Red Cross's Red Cross emblem. To clearly convey the facts, we present the following official position.
[Consultation and actions with the Korean Red Cross]
Immediately after recognizing the problem, we stopped exposing the related content and directly communicated by speaking with the Korean Red Cross Seoul branch and the relevant staff. We also posted an official apology on Nov. 6 that included that we had begun discussions to faithfully carry out all necessary measures through consultation with the Korean Red Cross.
As of Nov. 7, we confirmed that this case was filed by a third party, not the Korean Red Cross as the party concerned, and we received an official reply from the Korean Red Cross thanking us for our self-correction efforts and saying it has no intention of pursuing legal action such as filing a lawsuit. Therefore, this matter has been resolved through amicable consultation with the Korean Red Cross.
As explained in the official apology, the design was a design element carelessly used in the process of visually expressing the concept "Emotion Emergency Kit," and we once again make clear that it was not an intentional act to violate the law.
[Brand responsibility and prevention of recurrence]
We have completely stopped using the problematic design and strengthened the design and communication review process. We will do our best to prevent similar cases from recurring.
Vuel Korea will prioritize brand management principles that respect law and ethics and do its best to become a transparent and trusted brand.
We deeply apologize once again for the inconvenience caused by the lack of awareness about using public emblems.<
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS
[OSEN]