The Ministry of Intellectual Property said on the 14th that it conducted an intensive crackdown on trademark infringement and the distribution of counterfeit goods last year, seizing about 143,000 counterfeit items.
The number of people booked on criminal charges in this crackdown was 388, up about 26% from the previous year (307). The value of seized goods converted to genuine prices also surged. Based on genuine prices, the figure jumped from 13.43 billion won the previous year to 432.6 billion won last year, indicating that the crackdown results expanded significantly not only in volume but also in scale.
In particular, a planned investigation targeting large distribution networks produced results. Authorities uncovered a case involving a distributor of counterfeit luxury accessories, known as the largest single case since the launch of the trademark police in September 2010. About 39,000 counterfeit items were seized, with a genuine-price value reaching 340 billion won.
Counterfeits were also found in items directly tied to everyday life. Product categories linked to health and safety were targeted in the crackdown, including about 46,000 counterfeit cosmetics (genuine price 2 billion won) and about 23,000 counterfeit auto parts (genuine price 250 million won).
Distribution of counterfeit merchandise aimed at the rise in sales of related products amid K-pop's popularity was also uncovered. During the crackdown, about 29,000 counterfeit goods (genuine price 500 million won) were seized.
The shift of transaction methods to online platforms was also evident. As counterfeit product transactions spread through social media such as Naver Band and Cafes, Instagram, and YouTube, authorities strengthened enforcement, resulting in 44 people being booked on criminal charges and an additional seizure of about 17,000 items (genuine price 12.7 billion won).
By item count, accessories accounted for the largest share at 27.5%, followed by cosmetics (7.4%) and clothing (6.7%). By genuine-price value, accessories accounted for the vast majority at 87.6%.
Shin Sang-gon, director general for intellectual property protection cooperation, said, "The sale of counterfeit goods is spreading to products that can affect health and safety," and added, "We will focus on items with high risk concerns, such as health supplements and cosmetics, and respond strictly under a zero-tolerance policy."