South Korea cracks down on sale of human flesh capsules

South Korea said it is strengthening customs inspections in a crackdown on the smuggling of Chinese-made capsules filled with powdered human flesh.

The state-run Korea Customs Service said that since last August it has discovered 35 attempts to smuggle from China about 17,450 such capsules disguised as stamina-boosters.

Customs officials said the capsules were made from dead babies and infants in north eastern China, and that ethnic Koreans living there tried to smuggle them into South Korea.

The officials said some people believe the capsules are a panacea for disease, but an investigation shows they contain superbacteria and other harmful ingredients.