Korea Customs Service Allows Import of Full-Body Real Dolls... "Reflecting Court Rulings"
[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] The government has abruptly allowed the import of 'full-body real dolls,' adult products modeled after the human body. However, the import of real dolls resembling minors or specific individuals is prohibited.
The Korea Customs Service announced that from the 26th, it will revise and implement the 'Real Doll Import Customs Clearance Guidelines' with these contents. The main point of the revision is to permit customs clearance for full-body real dolls with adult figures. A Customs Service official explained, "This reflects court rulings and the opinions gathered from related ministries such as the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family."
However, the import of full-body real dolls resembling minors remains banned. The Customs Service will comprehensively consider overall appearance, including length, weight, face, and physical depiction, to determine whether a real doll resembles a minor. Additionally, real dolls modeled after specific individuals or those containing electrical product functions such as heating or massage, which require safety verification, are also prohibited from import.
Initially, the Customs Service regarded real dolls as obscene materials and withheld customs clearance. However, among 48 lawsuits filed by importers seeking to cancel the withholding of real doll customs clearance, the Customs Service won only 2 cases. There are 19 confirmed losses and 18 court mediation recommendations favoring the plaintiffs. This is why, since the end of June this year, the Customs Service has allowed customs clearance only for real dolls depicting parts of the body rather than the entire body.
In permitting customs clearance for full-body real dolls, the Customs Service also considered overseas cases. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia regulate real doll imports only when they resemble minors.
Rep. Lee Yong-ju Questioning About 'Real Dolls' at the National Assembly Audit (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Joo-hyung = On the morning of October 18, 2019, at the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held by the Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Venture Business Committee of the National Assembly, Independent Rep. Lee Yong-ju (right) is showing an adult product, a real doll, while questioning. 2019.10.18
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