Such “human-flesh capsules” are consumed by some people in the belief that they boost stamina. However, the material can contain harmful substances that are infected with super bacteria, health officials warned.
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said it apprehended 29 smugglers, who disguising themselves as tourists and attempted to bring some 11,000 capsules into Korea in their luggage.
Six people used international parcels to smuggle in the material, and some 6,000 capsules were confiscated.
The KCS first found out about the smuggling in August 2011.
The capsules are made of powdered dried fetuses or dead babies. Believed to help in rejuvenation, they are used by terminal cancer patients or Chinese laborers working here, according to the customs office.
The main production centers are Yanji, Jilin, Qingdao and Tianjin, China; and one capsule is sold for 40,000 won in Korea.
The customs service said smugglers are using more varied methods to avoid crackdowns.
“Some put herbs together in the capsules so that customs agents cannot distinguish the unique smell and color of the human-flesh capsules. Others put the capsules in medicine containers to deceive inspectors,” a KCS official said.
“It was confirmed those capsules contain materials harmful to the human body, such as super bacteria. We need to take tougher measures to protect public health,” the official said.
The customs office plans to examine all drugs or powders brought into the country from China by tourists or via parcels.
“For those buying tonic-like products in China or Southeast Asia, we advise them to check what ingredients they contain and whether they are allowed to bring them into Korea,” the official said.
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