South Korea reopens imports of sex dolls for adults

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South Korean authorities have lifted the import ban on adult-size sex dolls. The decision comes after years of debates and questions about whether the measure would constitute government interference in the private life of the population.

The recent change now allows dolls shaped like adults to enter the country through customs. But dolls that look like minors are still banned, according to the South Korean Customs Service.

Sex dolls are not illegal in South Korea. However, thousands of them have been seized at customs in the country since 2018. Authorities have banned the importation of the full-size objects under a law that restricts products deemed “harmful to South Korea’s traditions and public morals.”

The importers initially appealed to the courts, asking for the ban to be relaxed and for the dolls to be cleared through customs. They argued that the products “do not harm human dignity.”

In 2019, the country’s Supreme Court upheld the ruling that sex dolls are used for personal use and fall under the same category as pornography, which is tightly regulated but legally legal.

But around 250,000 people signed a petition to stop the import of these dolls. The author of the request, who did not identify himself, said the products “may lead to an increase in sexual crimes.”

A thousand dolls kept at customs

The issue was resolved when customs officials decided to lift the ban. In a statement, they said the decision was taken after reviewing court rulings and advice from relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

The ruling also allows importers to withdraw their products from government custody. Customs officials said they still have more than 1,000 sex dolls that arrived in South Korea over the past four years.

On the other hand, customs authorities say they have banned the entry of sex dolls that resemble real people, such as celebrities.

It is not clear whether the sales ban also applies to domestically produced sex dolls that look like minors – such restrictions exist in Australia, the UK and the US.

This text was originally published here.

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