Illegal Imported Foods Sold Near Schools... Seoul City Takes Strict Criminal Action

Seoul Detects 13 Establishments Selling Illegally Imported Food Products
Intensive Crackdown on Imported Food Sales near Schools and Private Academies
Illegal Sales of Foods Brought in Through Overseas Direct Purchase and Personal Travel
Criminal Charges Filed Against 8 Businesses; 5 Cases Referred to Local District Offices

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Civil Affairs Judicial Police Division announced on May 19, 2026, that it had conducted inspections of 101 unmanned stores in the areas around schools and private academies, uncovering 13 establishments selling illegally imported food products.

This investigation was carried out from March 23 to April 3, 2026, in anticipation of increased demand for imported foods ahead of Family Month. The main violations identified were as follows: 2 stores displaying or selling imported food without proper notification; 6 stores repackaging finished products or displaying/selling them without Korean labeling; and 5 stores displaying or selling products past their consumption date.

Photo of crackdowns on illegal sales of imported food products in unmanned stores. Seoul City

The Civil Affairs Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Government took strict action in accordance with relevant laws, filing criminal charges against 8 establishments for illegal activities such as the sale of unreported imported food, and requesting local district offices to impose fines on 5 establishments found selling products past their consumption date.

Individuals who display or sell food purchased through overseas direct purchase or while traveling, without going through the official import process, are engaging in illegal distribution. Imported food that has not undergone proper inspection procedures, such as detailed food safety checks, cannot be verified for hazardous substances or sanitary conditions, posing serious health risks to consumers.

Additionally, the city collected 134 types of imported food products favored by teenagers—including those that were unreported or lacked Korean labeling—and requested the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment to test for 10 types of hazardous drug substances, including cocaine and amphetamines. Displaying or selling imported food without proper notification or Korean labeling is punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won, in accordance with relevant laws.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized that citizen reports are crucial in cracking down on illegal activities. It urged the public to actively report any violations, such as displaying or selling non-officially imported foods or those lacking Korean labeling. Whistleblowers who contribute to the public interest by reporting crimes with decisive evidence are eligible for rewards of up to 200 million won, following a review process under the “Ordinance on the Protection and Support of Public Interest Whistleblowers of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.”

Byun Kyungok, Director of the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "With this crackdown as an opportunity, we will strengthen preventive monitoring to curb the spread of illegal distribution of imported foods. As purchases of imported snacks, jellies, candies, and chocolates are increasing, especially at unmanned stores, we will focus on monitoring the resale of overseas direct purchase and personally carried-in foods, and concentrate investigative efforts on blocking illegal distribution by repeat offenders."

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