9 out of 10 suspects of public weapon possession not arrested: report

The Korea Herald · Yoon Min-sik · 2026-11-06 05:41 UTC

Only 10.3 percent of the individuals investigated for possessing illegal weapons in public areas have been placed under detention, National Police Agency data s

Only 10.3 percent of the individuals investigated for possessing illegal weapons in public areas have been placed under detention, National Police Agency data showed Friday, raising concerns over law enforcement's capacity to prevent incidents like last month's stabbing spree in Incheon.

Since the Criminal Act clause was implemented on April 8, 2025, the number of people accused of possessing illegal weapons in public has reached 1,164 as of August. Of these cases, only 120 were formally arrested.

Another 84.7 percent were investigated without physical detention. In 1.6 percent of cases, the prosecution decided not to request a warrant despite police suggestions. The remaining 3.4 percent involved cases in which prosecutors' requests for arrest warrants were rejected by the court.

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