Country of Origin Indication Systems for Agricultural Products : A Korea-Japan Comparison

Abstract

The main conclusions of this paper focus on country of origin indicator violations. The most common violations are either import goods disguised as domestic goods or failure to indicate the country of origin indicator. The main reason for violation of country of origin indicator regulations is to obtain large profits. There are three points of difference in country of origin indication systems between Korea and Japan. First, all fresh foods must have the country of origin indicated in Japan but not in Korea. In the case of processed food, only near-fresh food must have the country of origin indicated in Japan, whereas in Korea, both near fresh-food and highly processed food must have the country of origin indicated. Japan publicizes the violators of country of origin indicator regulations while Korea does not. The paper concludes that Korea should also adopt the practice of publicizing the violators of country of origin indicator regulations.