Seoul Uncovers Illegal Sellers of 'Overseas Direct Purchase Jelly'... Criminal Charges Filed

Crackdown on 33 Stores Including Unmanned Shops
27 Expired Products Across 5 Categories Detected
30 Items Seized, Undergoing Narcotics Testing

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has uncovered seven illegal imported food businesses selling jelly products through overseas direct purchases. Thirty items, including overseas direct purchase foods that were seized during the crackdown, are currently undergoing testing for narcotics and other hazardous substances at the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment.

On September 1, the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had conducted inspections of 33 food retailers-including unmanned stores in academy districts frequented by children and teenagers-from August 6 to August 14, coinciding with the summer vacation period.

On-site crackdown by the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Bureau of Seoul Metropolitan Government. Seoul Metropolitan Government

The violations detected included: ▲ one business selling unreported imported foods (overseas direct purchase foods); ▲ one business selling repackaged products after opening fully packaged goods (without Korean labeling); and ▲ five businesses displaying or selling products past their expiration date. Two illegal businesses selling unreported imported foods and similar items have been referred for criminal prosecution, while the five businesses selling expired products have been reported to their respective district offices for administrative fines.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that overseas direct purchase foods, which individuals buy directly from foreign online stores for personal consumption, are not subject to import declaration or inspection, raising concerns that they could pose serious health risks to consumers. Displaying or selling unreported or unlabeled imported foods in Korean can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 million won, in accordance with relevant laws.

Selling or displaying food products past their expiration date for sale also results in administrative fines. The Civil Affairs Bureau of Seoul emphasized that, since five businesses were found to be displaying or selling expired imported products during this crackdown, consumers should carefully check the expiration date when purchasing imported foods.

The Civil Affairs Bureau of Seoul also stressed that citizen reports are crucial in cracking down on illegal activities, urging people to actively report or provide information if they discover violations or suffer damages. Whistleblowers who provide decisive evidence may receive a reward of up to 200 million won after a review, in accordance with the "Ordinance on the Protection and Support of Public Interest Whistleblowers of the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

Kim Hyunjung, Director of the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "With the increase in overseas direct purchases and international travel, concerns about harm from hazardous foods brought in from abroad are growing. Therefore, please make sure to check for Korean labeling when purchasing imported foods. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will also make every effort to eradicate illegal sales of imported foods in order to protect the health and safety of our citizens."

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