Dangerously high levels of toxic metals found in counterfeit products in Seoul

High levels of toxic heavy metals, over five thousand times above safety standards, were found in counterfeit products sold in Seoul.

Counterfeit hats sold at Dongdaemun Saebit Market in Jongno District, central Seoul, in a photo provided by the city government on Tuesday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

High levels of toxic heavy metals, over five thousand times above safety standards, were found in counterfeit products sold in Seoul.

The Special Police Bureau for Citizens' Livelihood & Safety under the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that 14 jewelry and accessory items out of 888 confiscated from Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Saebit Market in Jung District in central Seoul contained heavy metals far exceeding safety standards.

Among the harmful products was a bracelet containing lead at 5,255 times the safety limit. The bracelet had 473,000 milligrams of lead per kilogram, while the safety standard is below 90 milligrams per kilogram, based on the Environment Ministry's regulation.

Exposure to lead can cause anemia, decreased kidney function and nervous system damage.

Another item, a brooch, contained cadmium 407 times above the safety standard. Cadmium is classified as a carcinogen that can cause lung, prostate and breast cancer.

The city government cracked down on the sellers of knockoffs from January to June this year, seizing 4,797 products worth about 4.2 billion won ($3 million) . Police opened investigations into 70 people who illegally sold fake designer brand items during the crackdown.

The confiscated products included clothes, jewelry, wallets, bags, sunglasses and accessories like belts and scarves. At Dongdaemun Saebit Market alone, known as Korea’s largest fake designer goods market, 1,173 products were seized.

The city government said it would continue the crackdown, given that Dongdaemun Saebit Market is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

It has also been conducting inspections on products sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms, such as Temu and Shein, and sharing lists of harmful products since late April.

Producing, selling and possessing counterfeit products in Korea is regarded as a violation of the Trademark Act, which can result in penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines of up to 100 million won.

The Seoul city government urged the public to purchase genuine goods, as the heavy metals in counterfeit products are highly toxic, and to report fake products to authorities.

"Counterfeit goods of unknown origin harm the city's image and threaten public health," a senior city government official said, asking people to actively report any knockoffs they find.

Those who report sellers of counterfeit goods with evidence can be rewarded up to 200 million won based on related ordinances.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]