1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the issue of unauthorized Chinese-made laser devices for treating toenail fungus that were being sold in Seoul, South Korea. The article provides details on the crackdown by the Seoul city government on these illegal products and the significant profits made by the companies involved.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 손발톱 | sondbalttob | toenails and fingernails | The companies were selling unauthorized Chinese-made laser devices for treating toenail fungus. |
| 무좀 | mujeom | toenail fungus | The companies were selling unauthorized Chinese-made laser devices for treating toenail fungus. |
| 서울시 | Seoului | the city of Seoul | The Seoul city government conducted a crackdown on these illegal products. |
| 제조 | jejo | manufacturing | The companies were manufacturing and selling the unauthorized laser devices. |
| 무허가 | muhŏga | unlicensed, unauthorized | The companies were selling unlicensed, unauthorized Chinese-made laser devices. |
| 입건 | ipgeon | to file charges against | As a result of the crackdown, 5 manufacturing and sales companies were charged. |
| 단속 | danseog | crackdown, enforcement | The Seoul city government conducted a crackdown on these illegal products. |
| 부당이득 | budangideuk | unjust profit | The companies had made an unjust profit of 66 billion won from selling the unauthorized devices. |
| 식약처 | sigyeocheeo | Ministry of Food and Drug Safety | The companies did not obtain approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to sell the laser devices. |
| 의료기기 | uiryo gigi | medical device | Consumers should check for the “medical device” label and product approval number when purchasing these types of products. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
서울시는 무허가 손발톱무좀치료기 단속 결과 5개 제조·판매업체를 적발했다. 이들 업체는 비용 부담 등을 이유로 식약처 허가를 받지 않고 레이저 손발톱 무좀 치료기를 제조하고 판매했다.
The Seoul city government conducted a crackdown and found 5 manufacturing and sales companies that were selling unauthorized toenail fungus laser treatment devices. These companies manufactured and sold the laser devices without obtaining approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, citing cost burdens as the reason.
특히 A 업체는 중국산 무허가 레이저 기기를 손발톱 무좀 치료에 효과가 있는 것처럼 광고해 2년간 개당 23만원에 2만9천여개를 판매한 것으로 조사됐다. 이들이 챙긴 부당이득만 66억원에 달했다.
In particular, Company A advertised the Chinese-made unauthorized laser devices as being effective for treating toenail fungus, and sold around 29,000 units at 230,000 won each over the course of 2 years. The unjust profit they made amounted to 6.6 billion won.
이번에 적발된 업체들은 비용 부담 등을 이유로 식약처 허가를 받지 않고 레이저 손발톱 무좀 치료기를 제조·판매했다. 또 손발톱 무좀 치료에 효과가 미흡함을 알면서도 효과가 큰 것처럼 불법 광고 및 판매한 것으로 확인됐다.
The companies that were caught in this crackdown did not obtain approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to manufacture and sell the laser toenail fungus treatment devices, citing cost burdens as the reason. It was also confirmed that they illegally advertised and sold the devices, even though they knew the devices were not very effective for treating toenail fungus.
시는 무허가 손발톱 무좀 치료기로 피해를 보지 않기 위해서는 제품 구매 시 ▲ 한글로 ‘의료기기’ 표시 ▲ ‘품목명-품목허가번호’ 등 의료기기 표시를 확인해달라고 당부했다.
The city urged consumers to check for the “medical device” label in Korean and the product name and approval number when purchasing these types of products, in order to avoid being harmed by the unauthorized toenail fungus treatment devices.
이번 단속 결과 5개 제조·판매업체가 적발됐다. 이들 업체는 비용 부담 등을 이유로 식약처 허가를 받지 않고 레이저 손발톱 무좀 치료기를 제조하고 판매했다. 특히 A 업체는 중국산 무허가 제품을 효과가 있는 것처럼 광고해 대량 판매했고, 이를 통해 66억원의 부당이득을 챙긴 것으로 드러났다.
As a result of this crackdown, 5 manufacturing and sales companies were caught. These companies manufactured and sold the laser toenail fungus treatment devices without obtaining approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, citing cost burdens as the reason. In particular, Company A advertised the unauthorized Chinese-made products as being effective, and sold them in large quantities, illegally profiting 6.6 billion won.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What was the main issue that the Seoul city government cracked down on?
- How did the companies avoid obtaining approval for the laser devices?
- What kind of false advertising did Company A engage in?
- How much unjust profit did the companies make in total?
- What advice did the city give to consumers to avoid being harmed by these unauthorized products?
5. Cultural and historical notes
This crackdown by the Seoul city government highlights the ongoing issue of unauthorized medical devices, particularly those imported from China, being sold in South Korea. The government is trying to protect consumers from these potentially unsafe and ineffective products by enforcing regulations and educating the public. This is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and quality of medical products available in the Korean market.