'Inyuk Capsule' Smuggling Caught After 3 Years

Made from stillborn fetuses or placentas... Social controversy
Unhygienic distribution process with detection of 'bacteria' and 'viruses'

Human flesh capsules smuggled into the country and seized by customs. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] It has recently been revealed that there was another attempt to smuggle 'human flesh capsules' into the country.

Human flesh capsules are made by processing stillborn fetuses or placentas into powder or pill form. Not only are they inherently inhumane, but there are also concerns that they could be harmful to the human body, prompting calls for stricter customs control.

The first case of smuggling human flesh capsules into Korea was detected by customs in 2011, causing a social uproar. At that time, a current affairs program even revealed the manufacturing process.

According to data received by Kim Young-seon, a member of the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee from the Korea Customs Service on the 28th, a total of 1,065 capsules (6 cases) were seized from travelers' luggage over six years from 2016 to last year.

In 2016, 476 capsules (1 case) were seized; in 2017, 279 capsules (3 cases); and in 2018, 300 capsules (1 case). There were no seizures for two years after that, but 10 capsules (1 case) were again seized last year.

In 2011, 12,524 capsules (22 cases) were seized; in 2012, 20,663 capsules (47 cases); and in 2013, 27,852 capsules (41 cases).

Some mistakenly believe that human flesh capsules are health tonics, but experts analyze that the manufacturing and distribution processes are unsanitary, making them rather harmful to health.

In fact, in 2012, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety tested human flesh capsules seized by customs and found bacteria levels up to 180,000 times the standard limit. Additionally, hepatitis B virus was detected in one of the capsules.

Representative Kim said, "To ensure public safety, inappropriate items must be thoroughly blocked from entering the country at the customs clearance stage."

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