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On the 17th, dolls presumed to be real dolls were installed in the stands of Seoul World Cup Stadium during the 2020 K League 1 match between FC Seoul and Gwangju FC. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern reporter Juhyung Lim] The controversy over the adult product 'Real Doll,' which closely resembles the human body, is intensifying.

Some argue in defense, saying, "What’s wrong with purchasing or renting a doll that isn’t a real person?" However, others express concerns that the excessively realistic Real Dolls could lead to issues undermining women's dignity.

On the afternoon of the 17th, during the K League 1 Round 2 match between FC Seoul and Gwangju FC held at Seoul World Cup Stadium, dozens of mannequins presumed to be Real Dolls were spotted in the stands, sparking controversy.

The Seoul club, which installed the dolls, apologized to fans the next day (18th) via their official social media account, stating, "We apologize to fans regarding the cheering mannequins. The mannequins installed are products completely unrelated to adult products. However, during the installation process, cheering phrases containing the names of a company related to adult products and a specific BJ were exposed."

Company A, which provided the mannequins to the Seoul club, is known to have started as a Real Doll manufacturer last year but later shifted to a general mannequin business. In an interview with a media outlet on the 18th, the company explained that "due to social issues such as Real Doll experience rooms and celebrity portrait rights, the business plan was changed."

Real Dolls are silicone dolls that precisely depict the human body and are currently sold as adult products in some overseas countries including the United States, Europe, and Japan. The name originated after the American company Abyss Creations first mass-produced and exported them in 2009.

On the morning of October 18 last year, during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and others held by the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Venture Business Committee at the National Assembly, then independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ju (right) is questioning while showing an adult product, a real doll. / Photo by Yonhap News

The problem lies in the fact that as technology advances, Real Dolls are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The latest products are said to be almost indistinguishable from humans and equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) functions that allow conversations with users. Concerns arise due to the development of Real Dolls that use the faces of famous celebrities and broadcasters without permission or depict child bodies, raising issues of portrait rights infringement and violation of women's dignity.

The Korea Customs Service has also banned the import of Real Dolls on the grounds that they are "items that disrupt constitutional order or offend public morals." However, controversy erupted in 2017 when an importing company, Company B, filed a lawsuit against customs to cancel the import clearance suspension.

The first trial court ruled that "Real Dolls resemble humans to an extent that harms human dignity," upholding the customs service's import ban as appropriate.

On the other hand, the appellate court overturned the first trial's ruling, stating, "State intervention in an individual's private domain should be minimized," and "there is no reason to view Real Dolls differently from dolls used for medical classes or museum exhibits themed on the mysteries of the human body."

In June last year, the Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court's ruling, emphasizing that "state intervention in private and intimate areas should be minimized."

However, the debate over whether to ban the import of Real Dolls continues. In July last year, a petition titled "Please ban the import and sale of Real Dolls" posted on the Blue House's public petition board received 260,000 signatures.

In the petition, the petitioner claimed, "Real Dolls can be custom-made with hairstyles, mole positions, and desired faces," and added, "In Korea, there are cases where faces of celebrities or acquaintances are combined with obscene photos and posted online, and there is no guarantee that Real Dolls won’t be used similarly."

They further expressed concern, saying, "People who use tools that replicate women's faces and bodies exactly but can do whatever they want sexually?can they really see actual women as fellow human beings?"

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

On the other hand, some argue that the import of Real Dolls should be allowed out of respect for individual freedom.

Mr. Lee, CEO of Company B, posted on the public petition board on October 14 last year, stating, "In a situation where prostitution does not decrease, if Real Dolls are sold, the problem of sexual objectification and commodification of women will become even more distant to solve," and appealed, "Attempts to regulate Real Dolls by treating all general men as potential sex offenders due to distorted views and promoting hatred must stop."

Meanwhile, the Korea Customs Service plans to maintain the import ban on Real Dolls until related ministries such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family establish proper regulations. Except for one Japanese Real Doll imported by Company B, about 260 other Real Dolls are currently denied customs clearance.

At the Korea Customs Service’s audit held at the National Assembly on October 11 last year, then-Commissioner Kim Young-moon said, "If the Supreme Court ruling has been made, similar items should be allowed to clear customs in principle," but added, "Since public sentiment has changed a lot, we plan to maintain the import ban on Real Dolls for the time being."

He continued, "Customs administration standards are set by the responsible ministries, not the Customs Service, so we are currently consulting with related ministries," and added, "I understand the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is conducting research. We will consult with them and also consider the Supreme Court ruling together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.