Estimated Genuine Value of 3.9 Billion KRW
5,000 Items Seized Including Bags, Golf Equipment, Wallets
Focused Crackdown in Myeongdong and Dongdaemun Until Year-End
The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit has identified 110 individuals involved in the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit goods through intensive crackdowns. A total of 5,006 counterfeit items were seized. (Data provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government)
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has identified and criminally charged 110 individuals involved in the illegal sale and manufacture of counterfeit goods in the Myeongdong, Gangnam, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun market areas as well as online.
On the 8th, the Seoul Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit announced that from early this year until the end of last month, they conducted a focused crackdown on trademark infringement activities, seizing 5,006 counterfeit items including bags and golf equipment. The estimated retail value of the seized counterfeit products is approximately 3.9 billion KRW.
The counterfeit goods include ▲ 2,736 clothing items (1.7 billion KRW) ▲ 1,344 accessories (1.17 billion KRW) ▲ 191 bags (450 million KRW) ▲ 273 wallets (320 million KRW) ▲ 213 hats (100 million KRW) ▲ 112 scarves (76 million KRW) ▲ 23 shoes (41 million KRW) ▲ 48 glasses (25 million KRW) ▲ 24 golf clubs (12 million KRW).
The city collected information through citizen reports and on-site intelligence activities, and investigators directly purchased products to verify authenticity through luxury brand authentication specialists as part of the investigation process.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit has identified 110 individuals involved in the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit goods through intensive crackdowns. A total of 5,006 counterfeit items were seized. (Data provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government)
A businessman, Mr. A, who operated a clothing manufacturing factory in Eunpyeong-gu, was caught attempting to manufacture and sell about 280 counterfeit golf clothing items. A foreign national was found to have registered as a seller on an online marketplace and sold approximately 500 products including bags, medical items, and shoes from about 10 famous brands.
Producing, selling, or storing counterfeit goods is punishable under Article 230 of the Trademark Act by imprisonment of up to 7 years or a fine of up to 100 million KRW.
The city anticipates an increase in counterfeit goods transactions during the year-end and New Year period and plans to conduct focused crackdowns in December centered around Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, and Namdaemun markets. A joint special crackdown team will be formed with the Jung-gu Office Special Judicial Police Unit to carry out operations late into the night.
Kim Myungju, head of the Seoul Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit, stated, "As counterfeit goods transactions continue to rise and related damages increase, Seoul will strengthen crackdowns further," adding, "We urge citizens to actively report any counterfeit goods they discover."
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