N. Korea shows off illegal replica of shoes as new design
According to the North's official Korean Central TV Broadcasting Station, a Pyongyang shoe factory has "developed various new designs of shoes," one of which is made for weightlifting, with the name of the factory - Ryuwon - marked on the rear end of the sneakers.
The allegedly original design, however, looks extremely similar to the sneakers produced by ASICS, a popular sports brand in Japan, according to ASICS Korea, the importer and distributor of the sports goods in South Korea.
Pyongyang often imports ASICS products for its weightlifters and other members of the national team, the official said, adding to the suspicions that the shoes are likely counterfeit goods.
The socialist state freely makes illegal copies of products from popular foreign brands as the country "does not have any legal system regarding trademark protection," according to North Korea experts. (Yonhap)
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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