The Korean National Police Agency will advance the 'illegal weapon self-reporting period' to August and expand it for two months to respond to the homemade gun incident in Songdo, Incheon.
The Korean National Police Agency announced on the 23rd that the self-reporting period will run from August 1 to September 30. The self-reporting period is usually one month in September every year, but this year it will be extended to two months to actively recover homemade firearms.
Reports can be made by the individual or a representative directly visiting the nearest police station, district office, police box, or military base that operates a reporting center to submit illegal weapons. If reported during the period, criminal penalties and administrative actions will be waived.
Illegal firearms refer to weapons that are owned without proper authorization, made by a licensed company, or homemade firearms made by individuals who procure parts. From 2020 to 2024, 218 illegal firearms were collected, but no homemade firearms were reported.
After the self-reporting period ends, a 'concentration crackdown on illegal weapons' period will be in effect. If caught manufacturing, selling, or possessing illegal firearms such as homemade guns, individuals can face imprisonment of 3 to 15 years under the Gunpowder Act, or fines ranging from 30 million won to 100 million won. A reward of up to 5 million won will be given if the possessor is caught after reporting an illegal weapon.
The police will also maximize the use of available personnel to delete and block illegal posts about firearm manufacturing online and track those who post and distribute them. To this end, they will collaborate with the 640 'Cyber Honor Police' known as 'NuriCops.'
General citizens can also easily report illegal posts about firearm manufacturing. Deletion or blocking requests can be made through the reporting features of the relevant sites or the website of the Korea Communications Standards Commission. The Korean National Police Agency has requested the deletion or blocking of 8,893 illegal firearm manufacturing posts on the internet over the past five years. NuriCops has requested the deletion or blocking of 6,756 posts this year.
However, due to limited personnel and budget, the police face fundamental limitations in responding to content like YouTube that is uploaded in real-time across the world. Therefore, they plan to implement a system for continuous monitoring based on artificial intelligence (AI) within the currently operating 'firearm and powder system.'