Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Korean customs warns of toxic chemicals in counterfeit Labubu keyrings

Fake versions of the wildly popular Chinese character keyring Labubu are turning out to be more than just cheap imitations — they’re laced with toxic chemicals thousands of times above safe limits, Korean customs authorities warned this week.

2025-11-06

Exports dip 15.2 percent during first 10 days of October

Korea's exports went down 15.2 percent from a year earlier in the first 10 days of October, data showed Monday, mainly due to fewer working days stemming from the extended Chuseok holiday.

2025-10-13

Three individuals referred to prosecutors for smuggling narcotic medicines

Customs officials referred three people to prosecutors after they repeatedly smuggled narcotic medicines into Korea through overseas purchases and shared methods of misuse on social media, Busan Main Customs said on Tuesday.

2025-09-02

A 'fast track' for U.S. fruits and vegetables? What to know about the trade agreement.

The Korea-U.S. agreement on improved quarantine procedures for certain U.S. fruits and vegetables has opened a

2025-08-11

Customs agency uncovers 19 firms dodging antidumping duties worth $30M

Customs authorities said Monday they have uncovered 19 companies accused of evading antidumping duties worth a combined 42.8 billion won while importing low-priced hot-rolled steel plates.

2025-08-11

Exports down 4.3% during first 10 days of August on U.S. tariff measures

Korea's exports dropped 4.3 percent from a year earlier in the first 10 days of this month, data showed Monday, due in part to sluggish shipments to the United States on an escalating tariff scheme.

2025-08-11

Nearly indistinguishable counterfeit Labubu merch floods into Korea

Thousands of counterfeit Labubu dolls and accessories are pouring into Korea through overseas online shopping platforms, as customs officials scramble to stop a growing wave of fakes that are nearly indistinguishable from authentic products.

2025-08-06

10 nabbed for smuggling over 5,000 bottles of high-end whiskey worth 5.2B won

Customs authorities said that they have arrested 10 individuals on charges of smuggling more than 5,000 bottles of high-end whiskey with an estimated market value of 5.2 billion won ($3.7 million).

2025-08-05

Korean-born scientist on green card detained by U.S. immigration in 'inhumane' conditions, civic group says

A Korean-born scientist who has lived in the United States for nearly four decades remains in immigration custody more than a week after landing at San Francisco International Airport — and he still hasn’t been told why.

2025-07-30

Foreigner indicted for attempting to smuggle in 24 kilos of ketamine

A foreign national accused of attempting to smuggle 24 kilograms of ketamine through Gimpo airport — the largest volume of narcotics detected since the airport opened — has been indicted while in detention.

2025-07-28