South Korea to criminalize sale of illegally imported fruits, seedlings and insects

Selling or distributing fruits, seedlings, insects and other plant materials illegally brought into South Korea through overseas direct purchases will become a criminal offense under a newly revised law.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announced Wednesday that an amendment to the Plant Protection Act has been promulgated. The revised law takes effect Dec. 17 after a six-month grace period.

The core change expands penalties to cover the domestic distribution of illegally imported plant materials — not just their importation.

Under the previous law, only the importer could be penalized for bringing in prohibited or unquarantined plants. Authorities had long flagged a limitation in enforcement: even when contraband was intercepted during distribution, identifying the original importer was often difficult.

Under the revised law, anyone who transfers, sells, stores or transports illegally imported prohibited items faces up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won ($6,510).

The agency said illegal imports through overseas direct purchases and international mail have been rising consistently. The number of plant items destroyed during postal, courier and personal baggage inspections climbed from 36,000 cases in 2021 to 133,000 last year, and has already reached 153,000 this year.

Crackdowns targeting foreign food retailers also turned up results last year, with 73 cases of prohibited items — including fresh fruits and insects — detected. Seized and destroyed goods amounted to 2.8 metric tons of fruit and other produce and 78,000 insects.

Controls over international mail and courier shipments will also be tightened.

Anyone importing plant quarantine items by international mail or courier will be required to accurately list the product name on the exterior of the package and in commercial documents. Violations will carry a fine of up to 3 million won.

Before the law takes effect, the agency plans to step up public awareness campaigns and establish a wide-area investigative unit dedicated to cracking down on the illegal import and distribution of agricultural and livestock products.

"Through the amendment to the Plant Protection Act, we plan to prevent damage to domestic agriculture from the introduction of foreign pests and diseases, and to build a stable production base for the agricultural and livestock industries," agency chief Choe Jeong-rok said. "We will thoroughly crack down on the illegal import and distribution of agricultural and livestock products."