Cambodian Embassy in Korea Clarifies Origin of ‘Romdoul’ Mangoes Amid Labeling Controversy

SEOUL/PHNOM PENH, May 20, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s embassy in Seoul has moved to quell controversy over the origin of “Romdoul” brand mangoes sold in the Korean market, confirming they are genuine Cambodian products following online claims of mislabeling.

In a statement Wednesday, the embassy said the mangoes are 100 percent sourced from Cambodia and imported by Hyundai Agro (Cambodia), a subsidiary of Hyundai Corporation. The clarification followed social media posts and videos alleging that Thai mangoes had been falsely marketed as Cambodian goods.

An investigation by the embassy’s Commercial Attaché at a retail outlet found that Thai mangoes had indeed been mislabeled. The store owner admitted the error and said the issue had been corrected. Embassy officials warned the retailer against further misrepresentation, stressing that false origin claims could carry legal consequences.

Authorities urged sellers and distributors abroad to avoid falsifying product origins, particularly when marketing goods as Cambodian, in order to safeguard consumer trust and protect the country’s agricultural reputation.

The embassy also encouraged the public to report suspected cases of false labeling by providing photos, store addresses and retailer contacts to Cambodian diplomatic authorities in South Korea.

Officials said the incident underscores the importance of vigilance in overseas markets as Cambodia seeks to expand exports and strengthen the credibility of its agricultural products internationally.

Cambodia earned more than $133 million from fresh mango exports in 2025, down nearly 10 percent from almost $150 million the previous year, according to data from the Commerce Ministry.