"Designed as 'Other Liquor' for Export"... Controversy over the classification of 'On the Lamp' featuring BTS Jin

Questions have been raised regarding the food type classification of 'On the Lamp', a liquor produced with the participation of BTS member Jin. The YouTube channel 'House Where Liquor Ripens' reported that the product was intentionally designed as 'Other Liquor' rather than 'Yakju' to facilitate exports.

Classified as 'Other Liquor' instead of 'Yakju' due to Vitamin C addition

According to the video released on the YouTube channel 'House Where Liquor Ripens', the new product 'On the Lamp' is specified as 'Other Liquor' in its food type. The product's raw ingredients consist of domestic purified water, glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice, and nuruk, but Vitamin C was added at the end. Under the current Liquor Tax Act, additives permitted for Yakju include aspartame, lactic acid, and citric acid, but Vitamin C is not an allowed additive that can be classified as Yakju. Accordingly, this product containing Vitamin C is classified as Other Liquor rather than Yakju.

Manufacturer responds: "Avoided expiration date labeling for overseas export"

The presenter in the video stated that they confirmed the reason for the classification with the manufacturer through the contact information on the back of the product. The manufacturer explained that 'On the Lamp' was produced considering not only domestic consumption but also overseas export. The manufacturer's position is that Vitamin C, which has antioxidant effects, was used to ensure the stability of the product during overseas distribution, and that it also undergoes a separate sterilization process.

In particular, the manufacturer revealed via text message that they considered the fact that by being classified as Other Liquor, they do not have to indicate a 'use-by date'. Under current regulations, Takju, Yakju, and beer must indicate a use-by date or a quality maintenance period, but Other Liquor is excluded from this labeling obligation. While sterilized Yakju must indicate a use-by date, Other Liquor does not have to, leading to analysis that this was a choice to secure advantageous conditions for export.

Issues raised regarding the fairness of domestic liquor classification laws

The presenter pointed out issues regarding the fairness of domestic liquor-related laws by comparing it with overseas liquor cases such as wine or sake. This is because liquors with high alcohol content or those that have undergone sterilization processes and have a low probability of spoilage often do not have a use-by date labeling obligation, but under domestic regulations, sterilized Yakju must indicate a use-by date. The presenter mentioned the limitations of the current liquor classification system, where a product must be designed as Other Liquor to facilitate export.