Already 1,000 Imports of 'Real Dolls'... "Regulation Needed on Minor-Like Figures"

Guideline Revised in December Last Year... Customs Clearance Allowed for Adult Figures
Minor and Specific Person Figures, Electrical Products Prohibited

Since the customs clearance of so-called 'realdolls,' adult products modeled after humans, was permitted last year, a total of 1,000 cases have been imported.

According to data received by Seo Young-kyo, a member of the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Korea Customs Service on the 9th, the number of imports since the implementation of the realdoll customs clearance guideline at the end of June last year was 1,005 cases. Among these, 270 were full-body products, and 735 were partial body products.

Previously, the Korea Customs Service had classified imported adult product realdolls as obscene materials and withheld their customs clearance domestically. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the withholding of import customs clearance was illegal. The reason was that it could not be definitively concluded that the products seriously damaged or distorted human dignity and value.

Out of 49 lawsuits filed since 2018 requesting the cancellation of import customs clearance withholding, excluding 4 ongoing cases, the Korea Customs Service has only won 2 cases.

Accordingly, from the end of June last year, the Korea Customs Service allowed customs clearance for realdolls depicting partial body parts. Subsequently, after gathering opinions from related ministries such as the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the related guidelines were revised on December 26 last year to permit customs clearance for full-body realdolls shaped like adults.

Real doll [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, customs clearance is prohibited for full-body realdolls depicting minors and cases where the figure is identifiable as a specific person. Products that include electrical functions are also subject to customs clearance prohibition.

In countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, realdoll regulations are only enforced for those depicting minors. This includes cases where the overall appearance and physical depiction?such as length, weight, face, and voice?collectively suggest the figure is that of a minor, or where the figure is identifiable as a specific person, or where electrical functions (heating, voice, massage) are included, requiring safety verification.

Assembly member Seo pointed out, “The Korea Customs Service’s realdoll import customs clearance guidelines lack clear standards regarding depictions of children and adolescents, and unlike overseas, there are no punitive regulations concerning import, sale, or transportation.”

He added, “Clear standards for depictions of minors and regulations prohibiting the production, import, and distribution of minor realdolls must also be established.”

Meanwhile, domestic public opinion on realdolls is divided between claims of “individual freedom” and assertions that they are “items that sexualize women.” Supporters argue that “the state’s interference infringes on personal happiness without just cause,” while civic groups and women’s organizations counter that realdolls “violate human dignity, sexualize women, and fulfill rape fantasies.”

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