Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Korean firms face backlash over plan to serve more seafood at cafeterias
Gov't continues urging companies to consume fish products amid Fukushima woes
By Park Jae-hyuk
Various dishes made with rockfish and abalone are on display at HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in Seongam, Gyeonggi Province, in this updated photo. Courtesy of HD Hyundai
By Park Jae-hyuk
Shipbuilding powerhouse, HD Hyundai, sparked controversy recently over a decision to serve more rockfish and abalone at the cafeteria of its headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and also at its shipyards and factories nationwide.
The decision came amid rising concerns over the safety of seafood and an expected decline in their consumption after Japan on Thursday started releasing radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.
Some company employees complained and voiced concerns.
“It is ridiculous that the company abruptly decided to provide seafood more often at cafeterias as soon as Japan unveiled its discharge plan,” a member of the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries union wrote on the union's website, Thursday.
Under the pretext of helping fishermen hit by the declining seafood consumption, Hyundai Green Food, a catering service provider, agreed with HD Hyundai and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (NFFC), Tuesday, to increase by 100 tons the supply of domestic fisheries products to the shipbuilding group's cafeterias until the end of this year.
Although some HD Hyundai officials explained that their cafeterias allow choices among a wide variety of foods other than seafood, similar controversies are expected at other companies, as the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) continue urging businesses to encourage seafood consumption by taking advantage of their cafeterias.
“The party and the government will support fishermen by continuously holding meetings with catering service providers,” Rep. Sung Il-jong of the PPP said.
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won, right, speaks to Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan, left, during their meeting at the KCCI building in Seoul, Aug. 9. From left are Cho, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Chairman Noh Dong-jin, KCCI Executive Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee and Chey. Courtesy of KCCI
Earlier this month, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won was asked by Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan and NFFC Chairman Noh Dong-jin to serve more local seafood at the cafeterias of domestic companies.
Korea International Trade Association Chairman Koo Ja-yeol, who received the same request on Wednesday, agreed to cooperate with the association's members to increase the consumption of seafood, according to the fisheries ministry.
CJ Freshway is also considering serving more seafood at cafeterias nationwide under its management, although the catering service provider denied the speculation that it was asked by the government to do so.
Critics likened the moves to the Japanese government's previous campaign to support Fukushima by eating agricultural and fisheries products from the region. They also claimed that businesspeople had no choice but to accept the government's request, so as to avoid tax probes or other possible disadvantages to their businesses.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions suggested that workers are used by the government as “guinea pigs” to test the safety of seafood.
Against this backdrop, fears are also growing among parents over the possibility of school cafeterias following the suit. In response to concerns, the Ministry of Education said Friday that schools have served seafood that went through safety inspection.