Aggregated News

Stem cell research company RNL Bio faced allegations Thursday that it “smuggled” stem cells and related equipment overseas.

According to multiple sources, the company sent 15.5 billion won worth of stem cells to hospitals in China and Japan on 860 different occasions from November 2008 through July 2012 without reporting the shipments to the Korea Customs Service (KCS).

The company also allegedly smuggled out stem cell incubating batches worth 1.1 billion won to a Chinese corporation through a merchant.

“The fact that the company has not reported the items to customs is true. The case has now been referred to the prosecution for further investigation,” said an official from the KCS.

Under the Customs Law, if a person sends items for business use overseas, they must report them to the customs.

RNL Bio is also embroiled in controversy over introducing Korean patients to Japanese hospitals for stem cell therapy, which is highly restricted here.

The company was criticized for exposing patients to potential risks arising from the treatment. Under the Korean Pharmaceutical Law, only stem cell treatment that has received...