The franchise tteokbokki brand Gukdae Tteokbokki has sparked growing controversy by launching a new product under the slogan "eradicate communism (灭共, destroy communism)." This comes after it became known that, contrary to its emphasis on "100% domestic red pepper powder," the product contains Chinese ingredients.
According to online communities on the 26th, Kim Sang-hyeon, CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki, posted a product sales link on his social media on the 25th along with the message, "We launched the eradicate-communism tteokbokki. Let's enlighten with tteokbokki." He said the taste is the same as the existing Gukdae Tteokbokki and announced that he is selling the tteokbokki rice cakes and sauce for 5,000 won each.
Unlike existing products, the packaging of the newly launched eradicate-communism tteokbokki features the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes side by side, with the phrase "strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance" below. The tteokbokki rice cake packaging also includes the expressions "Eradicating communism is patriotism. Communist Party out." It further emphasizes that 100% domestic red pepper powder was used.
However, among consumers who checked the materials and supplies labeling, some pointed out that certain ingredients are from China. The product's materials and supplies and content information show that refined salt is labeled as from China, and that skim milk powder used in the soy sauce powder also contains Chinese-sourced ingredients.
In response, criticism has continued on the sales page and online communities, such as, "Is it right to use Chinese ingredients while shouting eradication of communism?" and "The corn starch is from Russia, so isn't this North Korea-China-Russia tteokbokki?"
Gukdae Tteokbokki offered an explanation regarding the controversy. The company said, "Some people are taking issue with Chinese ingredients, but it is true that we used 100% domestic red pepper powder, and the salt, which goes in large amounts, is also domestically produced refined salt." It added, "We use seasonings produced by a domestic company, but some components of those seasonings include Chinese-sourced ingredients."
It also said, "We cannot produce the seasonings ourselves, and changing them would significantly alter the taste, so it is difficult to switch," adding, "The Chinese-sourced ingredients are only in very small amounts."
Meanwhile, CEO Kim previously stirred controversy during the Moon Jae-in administration with remarks such as, "A communist president is trying to change the identity of the country," and was sued on charges of defamation by stating false information after claiming that former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk "received money from the Chinese Communist Party."