"Some Are Dressed in School Uniforms" vs "Personal Freedom": What Do You Think About Allowing 'Realdolls' Through Customs?

Court Cancels Import Customs Suspension of Real Dolls
Court: "Real Dolls Do Not Seriously Violate Human Dignity"
"Depiction of Others' Bodies" vs "Freedom of Buyers Unless Illegal"

Real dolls, adult products that intricately depict the human body. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A court ruling to cancel the import customs clearance suspension of real dolls, adult products, has intensified the controversy surrounding them. While some criticize that the import and sale of real dolls, which undermine the dignity of women including minors, should not be allowed, others argue that the use of sex toys is also a matter of personal freedom.

Real dolls, which intricately depict the human body, have sparked controversy for being made in the likeness of actual people's faces and bodies, as well as for depicting minors or specific body parts, causing sexual shame.

On the 18th, the 14th Administrative Division of the Seoul Administrative Court (Chief Judge Lee Sanghoon) ruled to cancel the customs clearance suspension in a lawsuit filed by real doll importer Company A against the head of Gimpo Airport Customs.

Company A imported real dolls from a Chinese adult product company in October 2019 and declared the import to Gimpo Airport Customs. However, the customs office suspended the import customs clearance of the product in January last year, and Company A filed a lawsuit in response.

The court stated, "The phrase 'harmful to public morals' in Article 234, Paragraph 1 of the Customs Act means 'obscenity,' and obscenity means not just giving a vulgar or disorderly impression but seriously damaging or distorting human dignity and value," adding, "The overall appearance being similar to the human body or the somewhat explicit and graphic depiction of body parts alone does not fundamentally change the nature or characteristics of the sex toy to the extent that it seriously damages human dignity and value."

On the afternoon of September 28, 2019, participants shouted slogans at the 'Protest Against the Ruling Allowing Real Doll Imports' held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Opinions among citizens upon hearing the court ruling were sharply divided. A female office worker in her 20s, Ms. A, said, "I cannot understand the court's judgment that real dolls do not distort women's dignity," expressing frustration, "There are real dolls promoted using the faces of actors or celebrities, and some are sold dressed in school uniforms. How can this not be a serious problem?"

Another office worker, Mr. B (31), pointed out, "Isn't it possible for manufacturers to create and distribute real dolls using other people's bodies without permission?" adding, "Just thinking about it is horrifying."

On the other hand, there was a counterargument that purchasing and using real dolls is a matter of personal choice. Mr. C, an office worker in his 30s, said, "While some may find it unpleasant, I believe it is a personal choice as long as real dolls are not used in actual crimes," and argued, "They might even help people facing sexual difficulties. It's not all negative."

Mannequin dolls are installed in the stands of Seoul World Cup Stadium where the 2020 K League 1 match between FC Seoul and Gwangju FC was held on May 17 last year. / Photo by Yonhap News

The controversy surrounding real dolls continues. Previously, in July 2019, a petition titled "Ban the import of real dolls" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board, receiving over 200,000 signatures.

In the petition, the petitioner described real dolls as "tools that have women's faces and bodies but no movement, allowing sexual use at will," and urged, "People who use such tools may not see actual women as equal humans. Ban the import and sale of real dolls."

Meanwhile, in May last year, controversy arose when a mannequin sales company placed dolls resembling real dolls in the spectator seats of the Seoul World Cup Stadium during a professional soccer match between FC Seoul and FC Gwangju.

Particularly, public outrage grew as it was discovered that the cheering placards held by the mannequins bore the names of an actual real doll sales company and an internet broadcaster who became a product model, revealing related circumstances.

In response, FC Seoul posted on their official social media at the time, explaining, "Unlike previous mannequins, these were made to look like real people but are completely unrelated to adult products," while also admitting, "It was a problem that the staff did not thoroughly check. We accept responsibility without excuses."