Urban Zakapa's Park Yong-in, who was sued on charges of exaggerated advertising, was again sentenced to one year in prison in the appeal.
On the afternoon of the 29th the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Appeals Division 3 (presiding judge Director General Oh Jae-seong) held the first hearing of Park's appeal on charges of violating the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, etc.
On this day the prosecution asked the court to sentence him to one year in prison, the same as the first-instance sentence, saying the first-instance ruling was excessive, "Considering that false and exaggerated advertising was made to a large number of consumers and revenue reached tens of hundreds of millions of won,"
Earlier, Park Yong-in and Virtue Company were indicted on charges of advertising on social media and promotional posters as 'butter beer' and 'butter base' while selling four types of beer at convenience stores from June 2022 to Jan. 2023, as if butter had been used in the raw materials and supplies even though butter was not used.
Later, the first trial court sentenced Park Yong-in to eight months in prison with a two-year suspension and fined Virtue Company 10 million won. The court ruled that "the advertisement, even if butter was not included in the product, misled consumers to believe butter was included, which constitutes false and exaggerated advertising."
However, the prosecution appealed, citing inappropriate sentencing, and again sought a one-year prison term. Park's side requested that the appeal be dismissed, noting that he had been remorseful and had not appealed, saying "that is not a reason to change the original sentence." In his final statement Park apologized, saying "I am sorry for causing controversy." The sentencing for Park Yong-in will be held on June 26.
Meanwhile, Park Yong-in founded Virtue Company Inc. and transformed into a businessman. Amid this, in addition to butter beer, last year a brand under Virtue Company was embroiled in controversy over allegations that its kimchi violated the food labeling and advertising law. However, this was said to be an administrative penalty received because the manufacturer incorrectly entered some product manufacturing report numbers for aged kimchi and other items. The agency said, "It is true that administrative action was taken regarding kimchi sold by the brand led by Park Yong-in," but explained, "The administrative action was taken due to incorrect number entry by the manufacturer."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]