Smuggling via Internet surges 30% this year

Smuggling of goods into South Korea ordered via the Internet surged 30 percent on-year in the first eight months of this year, data showed Tuesday, indicating the Web has emerged as a major channel for illegal trade.

During the January-August period, 364 cases of online smuggling were detected, up from 342 cases a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korea Customs Service (KCS). The seized goods were worth some 541.1 billion won ($48.6 million).

"Smuggling using the Internet has been rising fast this year," the agency said. "The methods are becoming more elaborate and harder to detect."

Fabricated watches topped the list of the most smuggled products purchased online at 221 billion won, an eight-fold increase from a year earlier, followed by electrical appliances and counterfeit designer bags at 130.8 billion won and 130 billion won, respectively.

The smuggling of narcotics via online trade has also been growing steadily, driven by sales of drugs in forms of liquids or hidden among items with strong fragrances, according to the KCS.

The value amounted to 78 million won in the eight-month period, up from 21 million won recorded for the same period of 2011.

The KCS said it has been stepping up efforts to counter the surge in online smuggling, including the establishment of "scientific" investigation centers in major cities including Seoul. (Yonhap)