Baek Jong Won Exonerated in Origin Labeling Controversy; Prosecutors Decline Charges

Prosecutors Clear Baeksuldo-ga of Allegations

On December 23, the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office announced its decision not to press charges against Baeksuldo-ga, a liquor distributor associated with Baek Jong Won. The ruling, based on insufficient evidence, also extends to a related individual, with an official notice of non-indictment issued.

The Origins of the Controversy

This legal issue originated in September when a complaint was filed via the national petition platform. The complainant raised concerns over the alleged misrepresentation of origin labeling on products associated with IGIN, a liquor brand co-founded by Baek Jong Won and Jin, a member of the globally renowned group BTS, under their company, Gini Stamp.

Claims of Misleading Information

The complaint specifically targeted the origin labeling of IGIN’s highball tonic products, particularly the plum and watermelon-flavored varieties. It was argued that the labeling could mislead consumers about the true source of the ingredients used.

Prosecutors’ Findings

Following an investigation into the matter, the prosecutors determined that the allegations did not meet the necessary legal standards. Their conclusion highlighted several key points:

Explicit product descriptions indicated “plum concentrate (imported: Chile)” and “watermelon concentrate (imported: USA)” on their respective online pages.
The production processes took place in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, as per legal requirements.
No evidence surfaced indicating that there was intentional misrepresentation or omission concerning the ingredients’ origins.

This comprehensive review led the prosecution to conclude that they could not establish any breach of the labeling laws.

Bouncing Back from Controversy

This ruling represents a pivotal moment for Baek Jong Won, particularly as he has faced a series of controversies throughout the previous year. Earlier this year, he drew considerable criticism regarding the pricing of The Born Korea’s “Baek Ham” gift set, igniting public discourse.

Additional allegations targeting Baek included:

Violations concerning LPG safety management
Allegations of breaching agricultural land laws
Misrepresentation of the ingredients in citrus beer
Inadequate labeling practices for ingredient origins

In response to this mounting criticism, Baek Jong Won issued a public apology and temporarily stepped back from his broadcasting duties.

A Steady Comeback

Approximately six months post-hiatus, Baek has started to re-enter the public sphere. Recently, he made an appearance on MBC’s “Chef of Antarctic” and served as a judge on “Culinary Class War 2, ” signaling his gradual return to the culinary and entertainment arenas.

With this recent legal clearance, Baek Jong Won is poised to regain stability in his public image as he navigates a comeback into the spotlight of television and gastronomy.

Sources: TV Report

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