KCS Uncovers Illegal Imports and Exports of Waste and Endangered Species Worth Over 110 Billion Won

Provided by Korea Customs Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Customs Service has cracked down on illegal exports and imports of waste, endangered species, and other environmental crimes, uncovering cases worth approximately 110 billion KRW.

On the 12th, the Korea Customs Service announced its enforcement results on environmental crimes from January to August this year. Environmental crimes encompass unauthorized illegal exports and imports of waste, endangered species, or organisms that may disrupt ecosystems.

This year, 19 cases of illegal waste exports and imports were detected, with the enforcement amount reaching 109.5 billion KRW. Compared to the same period last year (January to August), the number of cases increased by 375%, and the amount surged by 68,338%.

Typically, the movement of waste between countries requires permission (notification) from relevant authorities such as the Minister of Environment, but the companies caught attempted to export or import waste without authorization (without notification), resulting in their capture by customs authorities.

Representative cases include exporting 42,000 tons of waste such as overissued newspapers (market value 15.4 billion KRW) to Southeast Asia without notifying the Minister of Environment, or importing 340,000 tons of sawdust made from scrap wood in Vietnam and other regions (market value 90.7 billion KRW) disguised as sawdust made from raw timber (exploiting the fact that importing sawdust made from raw timber is possible without the Minister of Environment’s permission) and distributing it domestically.

Illegal exports and imports of endangered species and other alien organisms also increased significantly. This year, 20 cases were detected with an enforcement amount of 64.4 billion KRW, representing a 900% increase in cases and a 6,340% increase in amount compared to the same period last year.

The increase in illegal exports and imports of endangered species is attributed to rising demand for animals and plants for pets and ornamental purposes, ease of transactions through social media (SNS), and high sales profits due to rarity.

For example, the Korea Customs Service explains that the critically endangered “Beurma Byeol Turtle” can be purchased for 80,000 KRW per individual in habitats such as Thailand, but is traded domestically for 6.5 million KRW per individual.

Additionally, some companies are suspected of smuggling 4,877 items (market value approximately 180 million KRW) of endangered species such as turtles and lizards by not reporting to customs or underreporting quantities, thereby evading customs duties and taxes.

Yoon Tae-sik, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, stated, “To pass on a pristine and clean environment to future generations, it is necessary to strengthen enforcement against environmental crimes at border crossing points,” and added, “The Korea Customs Service will continue to respond strictly to acts of illegal and fraudulent export and import of waste, endangered species, and others.”

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