[Column] Have You Visited Dongdaemun Saebit Market?

A special judicial police officer from the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), whom I met recently, shared a story about a crackdown on counterfeit goods at Saebit Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 16th of last month. In a joint operation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Jung-gu Office, and Jungbu Police Station, they conducted a raid at Saebit Market and uncovered 854 counterfeit items imitating 28 famous overseas brands. Many of these were so-called ‘S-grade’ counterfeit products, which do not fall short in design and quality compared to genuine items. According to the officer, depending on the product, one can get a decent S-grade counterfeit for around 300,000 KRW.

Saebit Market operates around Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station in Seoul, where about 100 yellow tents are set up to sell goods. The market operates from 8 PM until 3 AM the next day. Saebit Market is a well-known hotspot for counterfeit goods distribution among domestic and international tourists, bustling with activity every night.

KIPO has announced plans to continue joint crackdowns on Saebit Market in collaboration with local governments and the police. This signals that the enforcement will not be a one-time event. However, there is a somewhat resigned voice suggesting that whenever crackdowns ease, counterfeit goods inevitably reappear under the yellow tents at Saebit Market. The officer said, “Since there are people who come to Saebit Market looking for counterfeit goods, there will be sellers as well. Although they recognize it as a ‘crime,’ they do not seem to have a strong awareness that it ‘should not be done.’”

Manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit goods are subject to criminal penalties. Six wholesale and retail vendors caught in the recent joint crackdown at Saebit Market were released without detention but charged with trademark law violations. On the other hand, current laws are notably lenient toward consumers. Even if consumers purchase counterfeit goods at Saebit Market, they are not punished. The apparent reason is that only sellers who professionally distribute large quantities of counterfeit goods are subject to penalties. Moreover, many consumers unknowingly buy counterfeit products based solely on design, making consumer punishment a controversial issue.

Where there is demand, supply follows. Cracking down solely on suppliers is not the ultimate solution to eradicating counterfeit goods. Ultimately, changing consumer awareness could be the key to eliminating counterfeit products. The social atmosphere that encourages flaunting oneself with luxury goods must change. Awareness of the social harm caused by counterfeit goods must also spread further. Only when such a shift in consciousness occurs will the counterfeit goods displayed under the yellow tents naturally disappear.