The number of illegal weapons seized has surged.
According to data that People Power Party lawmaker Kim Yeji, a member of the Public Administration and Security Committee, received from the Korean National Police Agency on the 13th, 269 cases were detected during last year's intensive crackdown on illegal weapons. That was up 97.8% (133 cases) from 136 cases in 2024. It was the highest in the past five years.
By type of illegal weapon, bladed weapons were the most common at 111 cases. They were followed by firearms at 79, imitation firearms at 54, scopes at 9, and sprayers at 7.
Seizures of bladed weapons jumped sharply. Under the Firearms and Gunpowder Control Act, possession permits are required when the blade length is 15 centimeters or longer, or even under 15 centimeters if the blade is sharpened and clearly poses a risk of being used as a deadly weapon.
The Korean National Police Agency is operating a voluntary reporting program for illegal weapons. This month is also designated as a one-month "second voluntary reporting period for illegal weapons," and those who report illegal weapons during this period are exempt from criminal liability and administrative penalties.
However, Kim said it is necessary to track acquisition channels to prevent crimes using illegal weapons. Kim said, "Beyond voluntary reporting and intensive crackdowns, we need to systematically analyze the inflow, distribution, and possession channels of illegal weapons and strengthen a standing management system that can identify and block risk factors in advance."