Police to strengthen crackdown on unregistered weapons
The Korea Herald
March 7, 2002
The National Police Agency (NPA) said yesterday that it will crack down on
the illegal manufacturing and possession of weapons to ensure safety at
the World Cup soccer finals. The NPA said it will also strengthen its
safety checks on places where firearms, explosives and dangerous articles
are produced, sold or handled, while increasing its police force there."We
will launch the special surveillance campaign until the end of June, when
the World Cup soccer finals conclude," said an NPA official. Korea and
Japan co-host the soccer event, scheduled for May 31-June 30. The official
said the campaign will prevent unregistered weapons from being used in
crimes, thereby contributing to the success of the World Cup and this
year's Busan Asian Games.
The NPA designated the month of February a voluntary reporting period for
owners of illegal weapons. Those who turned in their illegal weapons to
police stations were exempt from punishment. "During the period, we
received 12,140 firearms, 641,801 explosives and 14,680 daggers and other
weapons," the official said, adding that police also arrested seven people
accused of illegal hunting with privately manufactured shotguns, while
booking 15 others on similar charges. Under the current law, owners of
illegal weapons can face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of 20
million won.