Credit: Big Hit Music, THEBORN KOREA INC.
Paiksooldoga, the liquor distributor handling the brand IGIN, has been cleared of allegations related to violations of Korea’s country-of-origin labeling law. The company is linked to Jini’s Lamp, which was jointly invested in by chef-entrepreneur Paik Jong Won and Jin of BTS.
According to legal sources on December 23rd, the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office recently concluded there was insufficient evidence to proceed, issuing a non-indictment decision for Paiksooldoga and one related individual who had been referred on suspicion of violating origin-labeling regulations.
The case began in September, when a user on an online community filed a complaint through Korea’s National Petition Center, alleging that IGIN’s origin labeling was inaccurate.
The complainant argued that the labeling on IGIN highball tonic products—specifically the plum-flavored and watermelon-flavored varieties sold online—could mislead consumers about the origin of ingredients.
Prosecutors reportedly determined that Paiksooldoga’s product pages clearly stated “plum concentrate (foreign origin: Chile)” and “watermelon concentrate (foreign origin: United States),” and that the products themselves were manufactured in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province. Based on these factors, authorities concluded it would be difficult to establish criminal liability.
BTS’ Jin and Chef Paik Jong Won’s Highball Brand Reported for Origin Labeling Violation
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