By Kim Jae-won

A businessman accused Lotte Chilsung Beverage Wednesday of using non-potable water for its “soju,” traditional Korean liquor.

Kim Moon-jae, CEO of Chapko, a Seoul-based construction company, said that he filed a complaint with police over the water Lotte uses, which he argues fails to meet government standards for potable water.

This is the latest clash between the two which have had legal conflicts on the matter for the last few years.

“Lotte is using electrolysed water, which is not fit for consumption according to the law. So, it is illegal for the company to make and distribute soju using the water,” Kim was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.

Lotte, however, said that its soju brand “Cheoeumcheoreom” has been legally cleared by the authorities for the last six years, including the National Tax Service Technical Center, which is in charge of liquor certification and the Supreme Court.

The company also argued that the “alkaline water” was approved as potable by law and confirmed to be safe by related research centers.