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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