Urban Zakapa's Park Yong In faces trial for false advertising around a beer produced by his company.
According to legal sources, the Seoul Eastern District Court's Criminal 12th Single Division is scheduled to hold the first trial against Virtual Company and Park Yong In for violating the Food and Advertisement Act on April 23rd. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office has indicted Park Yong In without detention per the mentioned charges.
Virtual Company is a licensing planning company that launched and advertised BEURRE Beer, also known as butter beer. According to prosecutors, Virtual Company and others are accused of advertising the beer as containing butter, despite not having used it as an ingredient from May 2022 to January 2023, when it was sold in major convenience stores.
Through the investigation, it was revealed that Virtual Company promoted the product as "butter beer" in Korean and English and was called "butter-based" on the brand's social media and promotional posters.
Park Yong In defended the advertising decision in a lengthy post, stating, "We planned the beer to provide consumers with a new and sensory experience. We developed a product that had a smooth and creamy taste, consistent with this plan, and many people described it as having a creamy taste like butter during the process. [...] We introduced this beer as having a smooth taste like butter. This was an expression emphasizing the characteristics of the product, similar to how flavors such as flowers, fruits, chocolates, nuts, and wood are described in alcoholic beverages, coffee, etc., even if the actual ingredients are not included."
He continued, "Fortunately, our beer quickly caught on with consumers, gaining popularity as 'butter beer.' However, some controversy arose regarding this expression. Our beer is intended solely for adult consumers, and we accurately labeled the ingredients under relevant regulations. Even so, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and further controversy following the guidance of relevant agencies, we immediately changed the advertising content to remove the term 'butter beer,' and subsequently added butter to all products produced thereafter. [...] Still, the prosecution disagreed with our viewpoint and brought the case to court. In the forthcoming trial process, we will explain thoroughly that we did not intend to mislead consumers and will make efforts to supplement any deficiencies."
In addition, Park Yong In added, "Once again, I apologize to the many people who cherish Virtual Company for causing concern. In the future, we will continue to make our best efforts for consumer satisfaction."
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