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Sex doll: Long frowned upon as an imported product in South Korea
Photo: VINCENT KESSLER/ REUTERS
South Korea has lifted an import ban on full-body sex dolls, ending a long public debate.
Customs had made numerous confiscations with reference to a legal clause.
According to this, the import of goods that harm the "beautiful traditions and public morals of the country" could be prohibited.
Importers had complained about this several times and won the law in court.
The judges argued that the dolls were used in private spaces so that human dignity was not subverted.
Customs issued a statement saying they have begun implementing a revised sex doll import policy.
The most recent judgments were taken into account.
The import of children's sex dolls and dolls showing certain people remains prohibited.
A representative of the importers said the customs decision was "reasonable" but "a bit late".
According to customs, more than 1,000 sex dolls are still secured.
After an appeals court ruled in favor of an importer of life-size sex dolls in February 2019, a debate in South Korea flared up.
Around 237,000 people signed a petition to the President's Office saying more imported sex dolls could lead to more sex crimes.
And in May 2020, the first division soccer club FC Seoul was fined because the club had placed sex dolls as dummy spectators at a home game in front of empty ranks
SMS/AP