Culinary researcher Baek Jong-won apologized on the 12th, saying that Theborn Korea, which he operates, did not properly recognize the regulations after a controversy arose over the production of products using foreign ingredients in agricultural promotion zones.
Theborn Korea has faced allegations of violating the Farmland Act by producing products at its Baeksok factory in the agricultural promotion zone of Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, using Chinese-made improved soybean paste and foreign ingredients such as soybeans and wheat.
Under current law, basic processing and handling facilities cannot be built in agricultural promotion zones. However, facilities for processing domestically produced agricultural and marine products are allowed as an exception. Violations can result in up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won.
Theborn Korea noted, "In the case of the domestic sauce industry, there are difficulties in securing domestic soybeans and flour, the main ingredients," and stated, "We are in the process of changing our production methods to comply with relevant regulations."
Regarding the conversion of the greenhouse at the Baeksok factory into a warehouse, it was stated that restoration measures were carried out in accordance with orders from Yesan County.