"My girlfriend told me to buy it..."
At 4 p.m. on the 1st, a reporter hesitantly approached while in a shop in the basement of Namdaemun Market in Jung-gu, Seoul. The merchant seemed to notice immediately that there were many similar customers and asked, "Ah, EVE?" After nodding, the merchant pointed to four types of products on the shelf and asked, "Which one do you want?" He also noted, "It's becoming hard to find, so it’s good to buy and stock up whenever you come here."
EVE is a Japanese pain reliever known to be effective for menstrual pain and headaches, once regarded as an "essential item" to bring when traveling. However, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety classified it as a psychoactive substance under the Narcotics Control Act, citing the presence of addictive ingredients, and the Korea Customs Service restricted its import. Yet, it was prominently displayed in the import shopping district. More than ten shops in the area were selling this medication.
◇Ministry of Food and Drug Safety prohibits sale of medications displayed prominently... Merchant says, "stock up."
The main items sold in the Namdaemun import shopping district are typically imported groceries like foreign snacks and instant noodles. However, it has been discovered that imported medications, which are restricted for sale domestically, are displayed and sold here.
Other shops were also selling melatonin, which helps with sleep. This medication can be readily obtained in places like the U.S., but in Korea, it requires a doctor’s prescription. One merchant provided detailed explanations as if they were a doctor, saying, "If you're taking melatonin for the first time, it's better to start with a dose of 3 mg", "Take one tablet 30 minutes before sleep", and "Start with 3 mg at first, and if it's ineffective, you can take two tablets."
The EVE pain reliever was also found in an import grocery store across from the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 1st. When the reporter said, "I want to give it to my girlfriend," the merchant took out and showed two products from behind the display. They said, "There are four types of products, so 'Quick DX' would be good." It is said that similar foreign medications can easily be obtained in other regions' import shopping districts, such as in Busan's canned goods market.
◇Importers secretly carry small amounts and sell them in the import shopping district
According to the Korean Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, authorities are prohibited from importing or selling medications without authorization. The Korean Customs Service restricts the import of medications classified as "prohibited items" by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. A total of 252 cases of medications caught by customs at airports or ports when trying to be smuggled in have been recorded, amounting to approximately 13 million won.
However, merchants explained that they can still secure products through importers. A person surnamed A said, "Importers often bring 1-2 medications with food items like snacks. Thanks to that, we can display them like this." In response to the reporter's question, "Isn't it the case that we can no longer bring EVE pain relievers into Korea?" person surnamed B replied, "If only small amounts are brought in secretly, it's difficult for customs to catch them."
However, merchants were aware that they were selling medications illegally. Notices saying "No photography allowed" were posted around the shop.
Efforts to crack down on illegal medication sales are said to be challenging. Licensing for illegal medication sales is handled by local districts and the police, but actual results are minimal. A related official from Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "Public officials do not have investigative authority, and the police lack knowledge of medications, so they conduct joint crackdowns," adding, "When rumors of crackdowns circulate, merchants close their shops. There is also a lack of manpower."
Consumer reactions to purchasing prohibited medications are mixed. Mr. Kim (47), whom the reporter met at the import shopping district, expressed surprise, saying, "I was taken aback to learn that the medication I used to frequently buy when traveling has been banned from import," and added, "I'm relieved that I can still buy it at the import shopping district." On the other hand, Mr. Kwon (27), who came to buy imported snacks, remarked, "It's strange to see banned medications publicly sold," and said, "I'm worried about side effects, and even if the efficacy is good, I have no intention of buying it."