South Korea Ends Sex Doll Import Ban, Sparks Debate on Personal Freedom
South Korea has recently made the decision to formally lift its ban on the import of full-body sex dolls, leading to a heated debate regarding personal freedom. This move puts an end to years of discussions about the extent to which the government should interfere in private matters.
Previously, while there were no specific laws or regulations prohibiting the import of sex dolls, customs authorities had confiscated hundreds, and possibly even thousands, of these dolls. They cited a clause in the law that banned the import of goods that were deemed to harm the country’s beautiful traditions and public morals.
However, importers grew increasingly frustrated and filed complaints to the courts. The majority of court rulings sided with the importers, ordering customs to release the sex dolls. The courts argued that since these dolls are used in private spaces and do not undermine human dignity, there should be no reason to ban them.
On Monday, the Korea Customs Service announced that it would start enforcing a revised guideline for the import of life-size adult sex dolls. This decision came after a thorough review of recent court rulings and consultations with relevant government agencies such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
It is worth noting that the import ban still applies to child-like sex dolls and any others that embody certain individuals. Similar restrictions are in place in countries including the United States, Australia, and the UK.
While this decision highlights South Korea’s slow but steady progress in reducing state interference in personal lives, it is expected that some women’s rights groups and conservative organizations will express their opposition to the use of sex dolls. They argue that these dolls further objectify women and undermine public morals.
Carenshare Co, a South Korean company specializing in sex doll imports, criticized the customs service for lifting the ban, claiming that it had unnecessarily wasted taxpayers’ money on legal battles with importers. The company also expressed the significant financial losses it had incurred during this period. They believe that other regulations impacting the economy should be reformed.
Lee Sang-jin, who previously headed one of Carenshare Co’s online shopping malls, stated, We thought our people’s rights to seek happiness and use [sex dolls] in their private lives have been restricted by the state. He noted that sex dolls cater to various individuals, including those who are sexually marginalized and those who require them for artistic purposes. While he considered the customs service’s decision reasonable, he believed that it came a bit late.
South Korean authorities have not cracked down on the sale of domestically made sex dolls, but they generally fall short in terms of quality compared to imported ones, according to Lee.
Lee further shared that his former company had successfully reclaimed over 20 sex dolls through lawsuits against customs officials. Additionally, Carenshare Co has filed separate lawsuits seeking government compensation, as many of the retrieved sex dolls were rendered unusable due to the extensive period of time they spent in the custody of the customs service.
As a result of the customs service’s decision, importers will now have the opportunity to retrieve their sex dolls from government storage. It is estimated that customs officials still hold over 1,000 sex dolls that have been sent to South Korea since 2018.
This decision has sparked ongoing discussions regarding personal freedom, moral values, and women’s rights in South Korea. While some argue that the lifting of the ban is a positive step towards granting individuals the right to pursue happiness in their private lives, others believe that it contributes to the objectification of women and undermines public morals. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how South Korea will navigate the delicate balance between personal freedom and societal values.
