[Edaily Reporter SIN SOO-JUNG ] KT&G Corporation is manufacturing its flagship cigarette brands, “THIS” and “THIS Plus,” in the United States and importing them into South Korea. Including “Hogshead,” which was launched last year, three products are currently being manufactured in the U.S.

According to the tobacco industry on the 21st, #KT&G Corporation has shifted the production of “THIS” and “THIS Plus” from South Korea to the United States. The company is importing finished products manufactured under contract in the U.S. for sale in South Korea. The new products feature the “MADE IN USA” label, and the barcodes have also been updated.

The packaging has also been partially revised. For “THIS,” the background color and design of the pack have been updated, and a square slim pack format has been adopted. The bulk packaging has also been changed from the previous soft-pack style to a box format.

The company explains that although the production location has changed, product characteristics—such as tar and nicotine content and flavor—remain the same as before. The retail price for DIS also remains unchanged at 4,000 won. Products manufactured in the U.S. are being supplied sequentially to retail outlets as their existing inventory is depleted.

This production shift is the result of a strategic production partnership between KT&G Corporation and the U.S. tobacco company Philip Morris USA (PM USA). The two companies have been expanding the scope of their collaboration in product development and manufacturing.

Last year, KT&G Corporation launched “Hogshead,” a low-tar cigarette jointly developed with PM USA. This product, which uses North American tobacco leaves, is also imported into Korea as a finished product manufactured in the U.S. and sold domestically. Consequently, there are currently three KT&G Corporation products manufactured in the U.S.: “Dis,” “Dis Plus,” and “Hogshead.”

A KT&G Corporation official stated, “Through our strategic production partnership with PM USA, we are manufacturing certain products in the U.S.,” adding, “Even if the production location changes, the taste and quality of the products will remain the same as before.”