KOMSCO unveils new tech to fight fake labeling

Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp. (KOMSCO) CEO Cho Yong-man demonstrates the state-run organization's latest anti-counterfeit technology during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of KOMSCO

By Lee Min-hyung

The nation's minting corporation has unveiled an anti-counterfeit technology designed to detect forgery of luxury clothing brands' labels amid growing concerns over imitation products with fake labeling.

The technology is used to produce a special clothing label with security materials. Once a detecting device is placed near the label of a genuine product, an alarm rings from the device. But in the case of a fake label, the alarm bell does not ring.

During a press conference, Thursday, the state-run Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp. (KOMSCO) unveiled a string of such anti-forgery technologies to counter an ever-increasing number of counterfeit products here and abroad.

“The key to printing and minting currencies and coins lies in the anti-counterfeit technology,” KOMSCO CEO Cho Yong-man said during the press conference. “Our technologies can be used not just for the production of currencies, but for wider areas across society.”

The organization also introduced and demonstrated other security technologies by using smartphones or magnets during the press conference.

KOMSCO also unveiled an eco-friendly packaging product that can replace plastic bags or plastic food containers. The product is made with a currency printing technology, so it is strong enough to carry lightweight items, such as food, the organization said.

“We are going to keep developing more state-of-the-art anti-forgery technologies and protect customers from fake products,” Cho said.