[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Seoul, September 2025 – A team manager at HDC Shilla Duty Free has been referred to prosecutors on charges of smuggling goods into South Korea without declaration.
According to the Seoul Main Customs Office, the employee, identified only as Hwang, was sent to the prosecution earlier this month for failing to declare goods worth USD 1,500 purchased overseas and brought into the country in April.
HDC Shilla Duty Free, the company employing Hwang, was also referred to prosecution on suspicion of violating the Customs Act.
In addition, allegations have surfaced that Hwang purchased the goods using the passport of a sitting senior judge and intended to deliver the items to the judge. Customs authorities stated that verifying passport misuse was beyond the scope of their investigation.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office is now investigating not only the smuggling allegations but also whether the passport was misused and the extent of the judge’s involvement.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
