A serving police officer, who had secretly stored and later discarded live ammunition in an apartment garbage dump, was caught after a report from a waste company employee.
The Icheon Police Department announced on the 24th that they have placed the officer, identified as Mr. A, under criminal investigation for violating the law on the safe management of firearms, swords, and explosives. Mr. A is suspected of having discarded a total of 44 rounds of live ammunition, including those of a .38 caliber revolver that he had secretly hoarded.
The incident came to light when a waste company employee discovered the ammunition while organizing trash around 11 a.m. on the 23rd and reported it to the police. Police confirmed the crime through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and identified Mr. A by tracing his movements.
Police found the 44 rounds discarded by Mr. A at the apartment garbage dump where the initial report was made, and although they searched inside Mr. A's house, no additional rounds were found. Weapons and firearms were also reportedly not discovered.
Of the 44 rounds of live ammunition Mr. A had stored, 3 rounds are compatible with the .38 caliber revolvers currently used by the Korean police. The remaining 41 rounds are said to be ammunition for the .22 caliber revolvers previously used by the police. Mr. A is reported to have acknowledged the allegations. Police plan to consider changing the investigative office depending on Mr. A's affiliation and whether to conduct a formal search warrant.