Officials in South Korea have lifted the ban on the import of life-size sex dolls.
The decision comes after years of discussions about whether the government interferes in the private lives of citizens.
The new guidelines allow the import of sex dolls through customs, but dolls that look like children are still prohibited, the Korea Customs Authority said.
Sex dolls are illegal in South Korea.
However, since 2018, customs have confiscated thousands of dolls.
The ban on the import of life-size sex dolls was part of the restrictions on the import of products that are perceived as violating the tradition and moral values of South Korea.
The importers initially submitted complaints to the courts requesting that the ban be lifted.
According to them, the product does not harm human dignity.
Sex dolls in the stadium in Seoul (Photo: Reuters)
Factory for the production of sex dolls (photo: screenshot, Instagram)
In 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling that sex dolls are for private use, like the consumption of pornography, which is strictly monitored but legal in the country.
However, about a quarter of a million Koreans have signed a petition to ban the import of the dolls, claiming that they could lead to an increase in sex crimes.
In the end, the customs decided to cancel the ban.
The statement said that the decision was made after reviewing recent court rulings and the approach of government agencies towards the issue, including the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
The decision also allows importers to receive back the products confiscated by customs.
According to customs officials, they have in their possession more than a thousand such dolls that arrived in South Korea in the last four years.
However, the sale of dolls that look like celebrities or children is still banned, similar to Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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