Namyang Dairy has been involved in a big controversy lately, and the issues just keep getting bigger. The company also incurred further damage as an investigation was launched after it made a controversial claim regarding COVID-19 and its Bulgaris yogurt.
As reported by Maeil Kyeongje, Namyang Dairy’s chairman Hong Won Sik offered to step down on Tuesday, May 4, for causing a scandal over the effects of its yogurt product on preventing COVID-19. The company previously stated at a conference that its Bulgaris brand is effective in stopping coronavirus symptoms.
Company chairman’s sad departure
Hong resigned, and in his speech, he vowed not to pass over the management of Namyang Dairy to his children. He also took full responsibility for the unproven COVID claim.
“I am stepping down from the chair position at Namyang Dairy Products to take full responsibility for all the controversies,” he said via a press conference that was held at the firm’s headquarters in Seoul.
The chairman also solemnly apologized to “the people, employees, wholesalers and milk farmers” for the disappointments Namyang had caused due to the Bulgaris claims that were announced while the people were going through the hard times.
Hong Won Sik bowed his head deeply and had shed tears during his speech, and asked the public to still trust the company despite what happened. “I plead with the people to put faith back in Namyang as employees will do their best to revamp the company,” the 71-year-old businessman said.
CEO also resigned, and criminal investigation
Namyang Dairy is facing criminal investigation and administrative penalty after claiming that Bulgaris yogurt can stop COVID-19. This was announced during a corporate symposium where people from the press were invited.
CEO Lee Kwang Bum also resigned before Hong Won Sik did, and he already vacated his post on Monday. The Korea Times noted that the decision to resign came just two days after the authorities conducted a raid at Namyang Dairy’s offices as the investigation for announcing a false claim about its yogurt product.


Intuit Raises Full-Year Forecast After Strong Q3 Earnings Despite Stock Drop
OpenAI Eyes IPO Filing as Early as This Week Amid Rising AI Competition
US Economy Fueled by AI Investment Faces Rising Risks Ahead of Fed Meeting
Japan Inflation Falls Below BOJ Target as Energy Subsidies Ease Consumer Pressure
Mexico-EU Free Trade Deal Signals Strategic Shift Away From U.S. Dependence
Mistral AI Acquires Emmi AI to Expand Industrial AI Solutions in Europe
SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO
Japan Manufacturing Growth Slows in May as Services Sector Stagnates Amid Rising Middle East Supply Costs
SpaceX Eyes AI Computing Expansion Ahead of Historic IPO
ECB Warns Euro Zone Inflation Will Keep Rising Despite Strait of Hormuz Reopening
Anthropic Revenue Surge Signals Strong AI Market Momentum in 2026
Trump to Swear In Kevin Warsh as New Federal Reserve Chair Amid Inflation Concerns
Google Expands AI Partnership With Singapore Government
X Corp Loses Legal Battle Over Australia Child Safety Fine
Oil Prices Drop Below $100 as Hopes Rise for U.S.-Iran Peace Agreement
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa to Reveal Turnaround Strategy Focused on U.S. Sales and China Partnerships
Iran-U.S. Talks Continue as Strait of Hormuz and Uranium Dispute Stall Peace Efforts 



