Selling substandard mandarin oranges is prohibited here and if caught, you can face fines of up to 5 million won. But in reality, much of these fines go unpaid and the illicit distribution of substandard mandarins remains rampant. Mike Laidman has more.
[slug]
Substandard mandarin oranges still being sold

Last Wednesday this agricultural corporation was caught illegally selling substandard mandarin oranges at a wholesale market. This particular corporation was caught by administrative officials for the same thing last year, and the year before.

But it has paid none of the fines issued over the past 3 years, which together amount to almost 10 million won.

SYNC
Jeju City official
The fine can be a burden for those with financial difficulties. If it’s a single fine it might be okay, but two or three fines can add up to millions of won.
<씽크:제주도관계자>
"사정이 안좋은 상인들은 내기가 부담스러울 수 있습니다.
금액이 커지게 되면 한 건 정도는 괜찮은데 두 세건 되면
몇백만 원도 될 수 있거든요"

[camera]
Kim Yong-min

According to regulations on Jeju mandarins, distributors can be fined for selling mandarins that have been deliberately colored, are overripe, or have not passed quality checks. But these fines are non-binding, so many people simply do not pay.


In Seogwipo, Jeju's main mandarin-growing area, only half of the fines handed out for illicit sales over the past three years have been collected.


Despite the growing number of fines being issued, the distribution of substandard oranges continues to go on, and the penalty is being seen as little more than a slap on the wrist.

[INTERVIEW]
Jung Young-heon / Seogwipo Mandarin Agricultural Administration
We’re doing the only thing we can do at the moment. The law concerning this issue needs to be strengthened.
<인터뷰:정영헌/서귀포시 감귤농정과장>
"사실상 저희들이 조례상 할 수 있는 조치가 그렇게 (과태료 부과)
만 할 수 있습니다. 법적으로도 강화시킬 필요성이 있다고 생각합니다."

[reporter]
Mike Laidman

With the current penalty system remaining largely ineffective, Jeju City recently announced what it called an “innovative” new measure for the mandarin industry. It says it will take back all substandard mandarins distributed at either wholesale or auction markets.

Mike Laidman, KCTV