The growing global popularity of Korean pop culture including its food and fashion, has attracted Chinese companies to imitate or produce similar products to capitalise on its growth.
In March, The Korea Food Industry Association said a Chinese court had ordered 2 China-based food producers to compensate between Won 18 million won – Won 37 million (US$14,000-US$28,800) to 4 Korean firms namely CJ Cheiljedang, Samyang, Daesang and Ottogi whose flagship products include ramyeon (instant noodles), anchovy sauce, starch noodles and beef stock. This was just one of many upcoming legal battles faced by the food giants in China.
Such cases of intellectual property (IP) infringement demonstrate the rising popularity of Korean food products, especially instant noodles. According to data from Korea Customs Service, global exports of Korean instant noodles reached an all-time high of US$862 million last year, up 12% from 2021. Nevertheless, this export figure is underestimated as it does not take into account sales of products manufactured in overseas factories. Nongshim, for example, operates 8 production facilities outside of Korea.
