SEOUL ( Associated Press) – South Korea has formally ended a ban on the import of full-bodied sex dolls, ending a debate about how much the government can interfere in private lives.
Although there are no laws or regulations prohibiting the importation of sex dolls, hundreds and perhaps thousands have been confiscated by customs, citing a law that prohibits the importation of goods that ” harms the beautiful traditions of the country and public morality.”
The importers complained and took their case to the courts, most of which agreed with them and ordered the release of the sex dolls saying they are used in private places of people and do not reduce human dignity .
The Korea Customs Service said in a statement on Monday that a revised guideline for bringing life-size adult sex dolls into the country has begun to come into force. It said it reviewed recent court decisions and opinions of relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Gender Equality and Families.
The customs service said it would continue to ban the importation of child-sized sex dolls or dolls representing certain people. He noted that other countries such as the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom also ban child-sized sex dolls.
Some conservative and women’s rights organizations may again voice their opposition to the use of sex dolls. They say that these intensify the sexual objectification of women and undermine public morality.
