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A sign hanging at a “zero-GMO” market in Seoul. Such the “zero-GMOs” signs entered use in Sept. 2015.

Seoul Metropolitan Government launched South Korea’s first “zero-GMO markets” in Sept. 2015. It was a plan to sell only non-genetically modified agricultural, fishing, and livestock products and processed foods at 193 markets representing six businesses: Nonghyup (NH), the Chorocmaeul, Dure Co-op, iCOOP Seoul, Hansalim, and Happy Co-op.

A year later, those markets are in danger of losing their “zero-GMO” signboards. In April, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issues an administrative notice of plans to amend some of the labeling standards for GMO food products. Included in them were provisions that would prevent the use of the term “non-GMO” on agricultural products and processed foods not subject to GMO labeling.

“Because domestically produced farm products are not subject to GMO labeling, it violates regulations to label something as ‘zero-GMO,’” the ministry explained, adding that violators “could be subject to up to five years in prison or 50 million won (US$44,800) in fines according to the Food Sanitation Act.”

Seoul Metropolitan Government continued attempting to discuss the legal interpretation of “zero-GMO” with the MFDS. After failing to make headway, it concluded that the project had become impossible to continue.

“We can’t just drive out the zero-GMO markets as illegal,” said a city government official. “If the amendment does go into effect, we plan to take down the signs advertising them as ‘zero-GMO markets.’”

Consumer co-ops and civic groups were up in arms over the plan, arguing that consumers “have a right to know” about GMOs. Thirty lawmakers, including the opposition Minjoo Party’s Kim Hyun-kwon, sponsored an amendment to the Food Sanitation Act in June that would beef up full GMO labeling requirements.

In response, the MFDS moved on June 24 to extend its collection of opinions on the plan until July 20.

“The large number of opposing opinions received for the plan indicates that additional collection of views is necessary,” it said.

The deadline has since passed, but the ministry has yet to make an announcement.

“We’ll be following the National Assembly schedule in stating the MFDS’s views on the Food Sanitation Act amendment,” said a ministry official. “As of now, nothing has been decided.”

By Won Nak-yeon, staff reporter

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