South Korea's customs agency announced on September 17, 2026, that the number of attempted illegal imports of weight-loss medications, including popular drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, has surged significantly. In the period from January to August 2026, authorities detected 5,030 cases of such illicit activities, a substantial leap from the 1,189 cases recorded for the entire previous year. This rise is attributed to price disparities that encourage South Koreans to purchase these medications from neighboring countries through overseas direct purchases and other illegal channels. The customs agency, in conjunction with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is actively inspecting imported medications to safeguard public health from unauthorized products. While these specific drugs are prohibited in travelers' hand luggage, the agency employs measures such as X-ray scans and baggage inspections to intercept non-compliant products. Violations that go beyond import requirement failures and constitute smuggling are met with investigations and legal penalties.
