Jeon So Mi faces police probe for alleged misuse of Red Cross logo

Singer Jeon So Mi is under police investigation after being accused of unauthorized use of the Red Cross emblem.

On November 7, it was confirmed that Beaubble Korea CEO A and Jeon So Mi have been reported to authorities for violating the Korean Red Cross Organization Act. The case has been filed with the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul, and an investigation is currently underway.

According to the complaint, CEO A used the Red Cross logo on a beauty brand launched by Jeon So Mi, allegedly breaching Article 25 of the Red Cross Organization Act, which prohibits unauthorized individuals or organizations from using the emblem or any similar symbol. Violations of this law are punishable by a fine of up to 10 million KRW (about 6,855 USD).

The complainant stated, “The Red Cross emblem is a public humanitarian symbol designed to protect medical and relief workers during emergencies such as wars, disasters, or outbreaks. Repeated use of similar marks for commercial purposes could dilute its original meaning, undermine public trust, and threaten the neutrality and safety of humanitarian missions.”

Jeon So Mi’s beauty brand, GLYF, co-launched with Beaubble Korea, recently faced criticism for featuring a red cross on a white background on its new product packaging, which resembled a first-aid kit.

Under the law, the Red Cross emblem can only be used with official approval from military authorities (for protective use) or the Korean Red Cross (for indicative use). The symbol denotes that its users or facilities are protected from attack during wartime, and misuse could erode this vital protection.

The Korean Red Cross explained that unauthorized use of the emblem may result in a fine of up to 10 million KRW (about 6,855 USD) or an administrative penalty of up to 5 million KRW (about 3,427 USD). If the mark is registered as a trademark in violation of the Trademark Act, offenders could face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million KRW (about 6,855 USD).

GLYF has since acknowledged the issue and issued an apology. On November 6, the company released a statement on its official Instagram account, saying: “We have suspended the use of all related content and are taking steps to prevent recurrence. The special kit was designed with the concept of ‘providing emotional comfort as if offering an emergency prescription,’ and has no connection to actual medical or relief activities.”

The company added, “We have halted all distribution and removed the problematic designs and content. The PR kit packages already in circulation are being recalled and redesigned.”