The Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), led by Minister KIM Yong Sun, has launched decisive enforcement measures to eradicate counterfeits related to everyday consumer products that threaten public safety. With demand for health and dietary supplement products expected to rise ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, MOIP announced that it will intensify its enforcement activities amid concerns over the potential online distribution of counterfeits of these products during the holiday period.



In the second half of 2025, MOIP’s Special Judicial Police on Trademarks (hereinafter referred to as the “Trademark Police”) identified indications of the distribution of counterfeit health and dietary supplement products. The Trademark Police subsequently conducted a total of six enforcement raids between July 2025 and January 2026, seizing approximately 8,000 counterfeit health and dietary supplement items. Further investigative proceedures are currently underway.



The seized counterfeit items included vitamins, probiotics, and joint and bone health supplements—the most popular products among Korean consumers. Ingredient analysis conducted in cooperation with the legitimate rights holders revealed that the products contained none of the advertised active ingredients, rendering them ineffective in delivering the claimed health benefits.



Counterfeit health and dietary supplement products not only fail to deliver the claimed efficacy indicated in their labeling and advertising but also pose a high risk of causing direct harm to consumers’ health. Therefore, MOIP has stepped up efforts to prevent the distribution of such counterfeit products ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.



As part of these intensified efforts, the Trademark Police has engaged with major online platform operators to strengthen documentation verification procedures for sellers. It is also piloting round-the-clock monitoring, including weekends and nighttime hours, to enable prompt response. If proven effective, MOIP plans to expand the measure to other online platforms.



In parallel with enforcement actions, MOIP plans to establish a subcommittee on health and dietary supplements within the Anti-Counterfeit Distribution Council* to further reinforce public-private joint coordination.



*The Council consists of 134 member organizations (eight subcommittees), including trademark owners (96), online platform companies (26), and government and related agencies (12).

Meanwhile, on February 9, 2026, MOIP visited Dongkook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Gangnam-gu, Seoul) to hear directly from industry representatives regarding counterfeit distribution and to discuss further countermeasures. CEO SONG Jun-ho of Dongkook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. stated, “Recently, counterfeit versions of our Centellian24 brand products have been circulating online, causing difficulties. We appreciate the prompt response of the Ministry of Intellectual Property and the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency and look forward to their continued efforts to protect companies’ trademark rights.”



Minister Kim stated, “As health and dietary supplement products are directly ingested by consumers, the potential harm they pose to public health is significantly greater than that of other counterfeit products. It is therefore crucial to block such products before they reach consumers.” He added, “MOIP will continue to pursue enhanced enforcement and online distribution blocking measures against counterfeit goods closely related to everyday life that directly affect the safety and health of the public.”

Source: https://www.kipo.go.kr/en/engBultnDetail.do?board_id=kiponews&cp=1&pg=1&npp=10&catmenu=ek06_01_01&seq=1827