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South Korean prosecutors have sought a one-year prison sentence for the operator of a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in Seoul, accusing the establishment of illegally serving thousands of dried ants to diners
During a hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, prosecutors also requested a 20 million won (RM59,400) fine for the hospitality group that manages the restaurant., according to SBS News.
The operator and company were indicted for allegedly violating South Korea's Food Sanitation Act by importing dried black ants from the US and Thailand since 2021.
According to court filings, the restaurant incorporated approximately 49,000 dried ants into its tasting menus over four years.
At the centre of the case is a palate-cleansing sorbet made with sikhye, a traditional Korean sweet rice beverage, topped with dried ants.
Prosecutors said the restaurant served the ant-garnished dessert more than 12,200 times, generating about 120 million won (RM384,000) in revenue.
Under South Korean food safety regulations, only 10 insect species, including grasshoppers, locusts, and mealworm larvae, are approved for human consumption
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety launched an investigation in July last year after detecting social media posts and blog reviews featuring photos of the insect-topped dessert.
Subsequent laboratory testing by health authorities revealed that the imported ants contained heavy metal concentrations up to 55 times higher than those found in legally approved edible insects.
While admitting to using the imported insects, the defence accepted most charges but disputed the prosecution's calculations. Defence lawyer Seo Min-seok argued that inspectors calculated the total based on the mistaken assumption that every diner received the garnish.
"About 60% of customers agreed to [the ants], but the prosecution calculated the number on the premise that all of them did," Seo stated during proceedings, noting that patrons who declined were provided with alternative garnishes such as edible flowers or fermented vinegar.
The defence further argued that the insect garnish appeared on only one dish in the restaurant's 15-course tasting menu
Counsel also noted that avant-garde culinary establishments in countries such as Denmark, Great Britain, and Australia regularly incorporate ants to impart a distinct citrusy flavour.
The Seoul Western District Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on 2 September.
