Haul includes 69 grinders that bypassed mandatory safety certification and 161 explosion-proof motors, totaling 122 billion won ($78.5 million)
A sweeping crackdown on industrial safety hazards has yielded large-scale seizures after authorities tightened customs inspections and expanded cooperation with related agencies.
The Korea Customs Service announced Friday that a six-month intensive operation from December last year through May uncovered 35 cases involving industrial safety goods that pose threats to public life and safety — covering illegal imports and origin mislabeling — with a combined value of 122 billion won ($78.5 million).
During the operation, the agency cross-analyzed intelligence gathered from industrial sites with import clearance records and domestic sales data to identify targets, then conducted intensive investigations into cases where safety certification requirements were evaded or import documentation was falsified.
As a result, authorities identified 11 cases of smuggling and illegal imports of industrial safety hazards valued at 18.1 billion won, and 24 cases of origin violations — primarily goods falsely labeled as domestically made — worth 103.9 billion won.
Among the most notable cases, grinders, explosion-proof motors and industrial flanges whose safety had not been verified were smuggled in from overseas. Those cases were investigated as violations of the Customs Act and referred to prosecutors.
The main products caught being passed off as domestic goods included steel products and solar inverters. Companies found in violation were issued corrective orders and other administrative sanctions, while those who deliberately damaged or altered country-of-origin markings were investigated for violations of the Foreign Trade Act and referred to prosecutors.
The Korea Customs Service said it plans to strengthen screening inspections and import-requirement reviews at the customs clearance stage, expand risk-intelligence gathering through cooperation with related agencies, and — when criminal activity is detected — pursue not only the suspects themselves but the entire distribution networks connected to the crimes.
"We regard the illegal import of industrial safety goods whose safety has not been verified, and the distribution of low-quality foreign equipment falsely labeled as domestic products, as serious criminal acts that cause industrial accidents, and we will thoroughly block them," said Kim Jeong, director of the agency's investigation bureau. "We will continue to do our utmost to block the illegal import and distribution of hazardous goods that threaten the lives and safety of the public at industrial sites, and to build a safer society."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
