Intellectual property infringement cases caught at Korea's borders surged 64% last year to about 279 billion won ($200 million), as counterfeit goods targeting Korean brands increased rapidly alongside the global popularity of K-brands.
Intellectual property infringement crimes detected during import and export inspections reached 278.9 billion won last year, up 108.4 billion won from 170.5 billion won the previous year, according to the Korea Customs Service on Tuesday. By category, clothing accounted for the largest share at 120.6 billion won, followed by bags at 43.8 billion won, personal accessories at 40.5 billion won, household electronics and electrical appliances at 17 billion won, and toys and stationery at 5.4 billion won.
In the past, intellectual property infringement crimes primarily targeted overseas luxury brands. However, as the status of K-brands has risen, smuggling and illegal distribution of counterfeit Korean products have also sharply increased, the Korea Customs Service explained. In August last year, customs caught an e-commerce operator who deceived consumers on a major open marketplace by claiming to sell authentic Sulwhasoo cosmetics, then shipped more than 7,000 counterfeit cosmetic items directly from China.
The Korea Customs Service is conducting a two-month "special crackdown on intellectual property infringement crimes" from Tuesday through the 30th of next month, mobilizing 34 customs offices nationwide. The measure is timed to coincide with Family Month in May and the summer vacation season, when demand for counterfeit goods is concentrated. The crackdown will focus on the import and distribution of items directly tied to public health and safety, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health functional foods, as well as household electronics, toys, merchandise, clothing, and bags.
The customs service will also strengthen intelligence gathering and tracking of illegal distribution through online live broadcasts and social media. It plans to conduct continuous monitoring and intelligence analysis of online sellers suspected of infringing on K-brands.
"China equals counterfeit paradise" is now a thing of the past, as the country raises barriers to protect its own design IP [China's 'Soft Rise' This Time] [AI PRISM x D•LOG]
