Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
Purchases of NK goods available at online auction sites
It is illegal to import to South Korea items and publications made in North Korea without proper authorization from the Korean Customs Service, but a recent finding shows that people can purchase goods from the North at online auction sites.
According to a KBS report, a variety of goods produced in Pyongyang are available on e-bay, such as badges of the late leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, as well as propaganda posters and publications.
These items praising the North Korean regime can usually be delivered within two weeks of purchase. But the Korean Customs Service will only approve of purchases for purposes such as research. People owning such items without authorization could be subject to punishment for violating the National Security Law.
The Ministry of Unification says that while it can regulate owning goods from the North, it cannot stop people from purchasing these items online. The Customs Service says it has difficulty monitoring all of the items coming across the border.