This undated file photo shows firearms caught by the Korea Coast Guard in smuggling attempts. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Following the assassination of of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a study that argues 3D printers can be used to make illegal firearms is gaining attention.
Professor Kim Eun-young from the Catholic Kwandong University and professor Yoon Min-woo from Gachon University published a joint article that said current legislation does not prohibit South Koreans from using 3D printers to produce firearms for personal use.
Gun possession is illegal in South Korea, except for licensed sporting and hunting guns which must be stored at police stations.
The article argued that government agencies in charge of the safety management of 3D-printed guns are lacking caution since there haven’t been any acts of crime or terrorist attacks in South Korea that involved a 3D-printed gun.
“The National Police Agency, which is in charge of the safety management of illegal firearms, couldn’t provide any statistical data or information on the safety management of 3D-printed guns,” the research team said.
“The National Customs Service and the Immigration Office, too, couldn’t provide any information about smuggling 3D-printed firearms, despite their responsibilities for the safety management of arms smuggling.”
The National Police Agency reported that there have been 138 cases of illegal firearms in the country between 2018 and June of last year.
There were 45 shooting incidents and 838 privately-owned firearms reported missing between 2018 and August of last year.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
