South Korea expands traceability tracking for imported seafood to 27 items

Imported mackerel, cutlass fish, pollock and squid will be added to South Korea's traceability tracking system for imported seafood.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Sunday that it will revise and enforce its "Notice on the Management of Distribution History of Imported Fishery Products" starting June 29, to strengthen distribution transparency and safety oversight for imported seafood commonly consumed by the public.

The imported seafood distribution traceability regime tracks the distribution channels of imported fishery products that may affect public health. Businesses handling designated items must report transaction records at each stage of distribution, from customs clearance through the point of final sale.

Under the revision, the designation period for the existing 22 items — including eel and frozen croaker — will be extended through April 30, 2029.

Five new items will also be added: frozen mackerel, frozen cutlass fish, frozen pollock, frozen squid and chilled squid.

The total number of items subject to the imported seafood distribution traceability system will expand from 22 to 27.

Importers and distributors with reporting obligations must file a report within five days of transferring the relevant seafood products, either electronically or through the regional office of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service.

The ministry said it expects tighter tracking of distribution histories for widely consumed fish species to improve food safety for the public.

"This revision strengthens the foundation for thoroughly tracing and managing the entire distribution process of imported seafood that people encounter in their daily lives," said Park Seung-jun, director general for fishing village and aquaculture policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. "We will work to create an environment where the public can consume seafood with confidence."