South Korea — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers
Civilian GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.
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Number of Privately Owned FirearmsChartThe estimated total number of guns (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in South Korea is 

2017: 79,0001
2005: 510,0002
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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationChartThe estimated rate of private gun ownership (both licit and illicit) per 100 people in South Korea is 

2017: 0.153
2005: 1.06
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Number of Privately Owned RiflesIn South Korea, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 35,6304
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Number of Privately Owned HandgunsIn South Korea, the number of handguns in civilian possession is reported to be 1,7584
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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, South Korea ranked at No. 1495
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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, South Korea ranked at No.2015
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Number of Licensed Firearm OwnersChartThe number of licensed gun owners in South Korea is reported to be 

2016: 138,7516
2015: 143,643
2014: 154,974
2013: 173,246
2012: 187,073
2011: 192,985
2010: 219,979
2009: 242,403
2008: 260,310
2007: 268,216
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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 PopulationChartThe rate of licensed firearm owners per 100 people in South Korea is 

2016: 0.273
2015: 0.28
2014: 0.30
2013: 0.34
2012: 0.37
2011: 0.38
2010: 0.44
2009: 0.49
2008: 0.53
2007: 0.55
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Number of Registered FirearmsChartThe number of registered guns in South Korea is reported to be 

2017: 39,5301
2005: 300,0002
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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 PopulationChartThe rate of registered guns per 100 people in South Korea is 

2017: 0.083
2005: 0.63
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Estimated Number of Unregistered and Illicit FirearmsChartUnregistered and unlawfully held guns cannot be counted,7 but in South Korea there are estimated to be 

2017: 39,4701
2005: 210,0008 2
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Estimated Rate of Unregistered and Illicit Firearms per 100 PopulationUnregistered and unlawfully held guns cannot be counted,7 but in South Korea the rate of such firearms per 100 people is estimated to be 

2017: 0.083
Government GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.
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Number of Military FirearmsThe defence forces of South Korea are reported to have 2,688,0209 firearms
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Number of Law Enforcement FirearmsPolice in South Korea are reported to have 115,00010 firearms

ImpactsDeath and InjuryCompare
Total Number of Gun DeathsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual deaths resulting from firearms total 

1011
15
17
21
3111
24
29
2312
34
24
31
37
43
46
45
36
55
2713
34
36 
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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is 

0.0211
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.06
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.07
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.09
0.10
0.09
0.08
0.12
0.0613
0.07
0.08
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Total Number of Male Gun DeathsChartIn South Korea, annual male deaths resulting from firearms total 

711
15
16
20
27
21
26
23
30
23
25
33
39
41
38
28
46
34
29
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Rate of Male Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male gun death per 100,000 population is 

0.0311
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.11
0.08
0.10
0.09
0.12
0.09
0.10
0.14
0.16
0.17
0.16
0.12
0.19
0.14
0.12
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Total Number of Female Gun DeathsChartIn South Korea, annual female deaths resulting from firearms total 

311
1
1
4
3
3
0
4
1
6
4
4
5
7
8
9
7
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Rate of Female Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female gun death per 100,000 population is 

0.0111
0
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.02
0
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.03
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Homicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual homicides by any means total 

30814
297
309
301
356
375
511
564
542
552
624
676
684
703
1,074
1,061
1,084
998
957
1,051
95515
993
975 
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Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

0.6014
0.58
0.60
0.59
0.70
0.74
0.74
0.70
0.87
0.81
0.98
1.38
1.40
1.45
2.3
2.3
2.316
2.1
2.1
2.3
2.0215
2.12
2.10
2.216
2.0
1.9
1.6217
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Male Homicide Victims (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual male homicides by any means total 

16414
138
15218
147
194
214
184
170
216
186
352
355
359
369
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Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

0.6414
0.54
0.59
0.57
0.63
0.70
1.04
1.20
1.19
1.25
1.43
1.45
1.47
1.52
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Female Homicide Victims (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual female homicides by any means total 

13814
154
154
153
238
244
250
264
245
242
272
321
325
334
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Rate of Female Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

0.5414
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.76
0.78
0.76
0.72
0.88
0.87
1.11
1.31
1.34
1.38
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Gun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual firearm homicides total 

111
1
4
2
1611
12
811
312
17
4
12
9
17
1416 
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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0.01
0
0.01
0.01
0.01
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.0419
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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a GunChartIn South Korea, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be 

2%20
1.7%16
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Male Gun Homicide VictimsChartIn South Korea, annual male firearm homicides total 

111
1
4
1
5
3
3
1
9
2
2
3
4
1
8
5
8
10
4
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Rate of Male Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male firearm homicide per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0.02
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0.04
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.02
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Female Gun Homicide VictimsChartIn South Korea, annual female firearm homicides total 

111
2
2
111
0
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
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Rate of Female Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female firearm homicide per 100,000 population is 

0.0111
0.01
0
0.01
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
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Suicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual suicides by any means total 

13,80411
13,678
12,471
13,102
13,519
13,845
14,440
14,174
15,919
15,585
15,430
12,879
12,264
10,758
12,111
11,584
10,994
6,978
6,538
6,02413 
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Rate of Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

26.7311
26.60
24.37
25.73
26.69
27.50
28.84
28.45
32.12
31.64
31.49
26.42
25.31
22.34
25.24
24.21
23.07
14.79
13.96
12.6313
9.4821
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Male Suicide Victims (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual male suicides by any means total 

9,73411
9,870
8,930
9,253
9,564
9,745
10,072
9,636
10,878
10,348
9,953
8,281
7,802
7,293
8,089
7,944
7,587
4,898
4,543
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Rate of Male Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male suicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

37.6211
38.32
34.84
36.29
37.73
38.68
40.21
38.64
43.84
41.94
40.53
33.87
32.10
30.19
33.60
33.08
31.72
20.69
19.34
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Female Suicide Victims (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual female suicides by any means total 

4,07011
3,808
3,541
3,849
3,955
4,100
4,368
4,538
5,041
5,237
5,477
4,598
4,462
3,465
4,022
3,640
3,407
2,080
1,995
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Rate of Female Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female suicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

15.8011
14.84
13.86
15.14
15.64
16.30
17.46
18.23
20.37
21.30
22.41
18.92
18.48
14.43
16.82
15.27
14.35
8.85
8.54
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Gun SuicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual firearm suicides total 

511
8
8
10
6
9
13
1412
13
19
18
21
14
22
15
16
21
1713
10
16 
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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is 

0.0111
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.05
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.0413
0.02
0.03
0.0222
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Male Gun Suicide VictimsChartIn South Korea, annual male firearm suicides total 

411
8
8
10
5
9
12
14
12
19
17
21
13
22
15
13
19
10
15
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Rate of Male Gun Suicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male firearm suicide per 100,000 population is 

0.0211
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.02
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.08
0.07
0.09
0.05
0.09
0.06
0.05
0.08
0.04
0.06
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Female Gun Suicide VictimsChartIn South Korea, annual female firearm suicides total 

111
1}
1
0
1
0
1
1
3
2
1
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Rate of Female Gun Suicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female firearm suicide per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0
0
0
0
0.01
0.01
0
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Unintentional Gun DeathsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual unintentional shooting deaths total 

111
1
2
3
1
6
312
4
1
1
6
5
5
2
6
5
713
5
4 
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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0

0.01
0
0.01
0.01
0.01
0
0
0.01
0.01
0.01
0
0.01
0.01
0.0113
0.01
0.01
0.0523
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Unintentional Male Gun DeathsChartIn South Korea, annual unintentional male shooting deaths total 

111
2
3
1
5
3
4
1
1
5
5
4
2
6
5
5
4
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Rate of Unintentional Male Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of unintentional male shooting death per 100,000 population is 

011
0.01
0.01
0
0.02
0.01
0.02
0
0
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
Compare
Unintentional Female Gun DeathsChartIn South Korea, annual unintentional female shooting deaths total 

111
1
0
0
0
1
1
Compare
Rate of Unintentional Female Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of unintentional female shooting death per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0
0
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Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total 

611
2
411
312
0
1
3
2
6
313 
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Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is 

0.0111
0
0.01
0.01
0
0.01
0
0.01
0.0113
0.0224
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Male Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseChartIn South Korea, annual male shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total 

611
2
411
3
0
1
2
2
5
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Rate of Male Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of unknown-cause male shooting deaths per 100,000 population is 

0.0211
0.01
0.02
0.01
0
0.01
0.01
0.02
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Female Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseChartIn South Korea, annual female shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total 

111
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
Compare
Rate of Female Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of unknown-cause female shooting deaths per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0
0
0
0
Compare
Legal Intervention Gun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. 
                    Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn South Korea, annual legal-intervention gun homicides total 

411
1
1 
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Rate of Legal Intervention Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of legal-intervention gun homicide per 100,000 population is 

0.0111
0
0
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Male Legal Intervention Gun HomicidesChartIn South Korea, annual male legal-intervention gun homicides total 

411
1
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Rate of Male Legal Intervention Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male legal-intervention gun homicide per 100,000 population is 

0.0211
0
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Female Legal Intervention Gun HomicidesIn South Korea, annual female legal-intervention gun homicides total 

111
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Rate of Female Legal Intervention Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleIn South Korea, the annual rate of female legal-intervention gun homicide per 100,000 population is 

011

ProductionGun IndustryCompare
Regulation of Firearm MakersIn South Korea, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence25 26 27
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Small Arms Manufacture - World RankingIn a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, South Korea was ranked 'medium'28

TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingCompare
Firearm ExportsIn South Korea, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law29 30 31 27 32
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Firearm Exports (Number)ChartThe annual number of firearms exported from South Korea is reported by manufacturers to be 

31833
400
1,130
3,32034
2,203
302
691
61
494
993
748
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Small Arms Exports (US$) - CustomsChartThe annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from South Korea is reported by Customs to be US$

468,844,00035
376,118,000
248,546,000
351,304,000
418,543,000
405,623,000
320,299,000
306,489,000
291,723,000
258,283,000
141,232,000
136,857,000
118,304,000
144,822,000
31,317,000
20,782,000
18,667,000
10,774,000
9,595,000
5,073,000
37,000,00036 37 38
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Small Arms Exports - World RankingIn a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, South Korea was categorized as 'major'39 40 41 42 38 43
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Firearm ImportsIn South Korea, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law29 30 31 27 32
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Firearm Imports (Number)ChartThe annual number of firearms imported to South Korea is reported to be 

3133
80
748
12334
66
24
100
11
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Small Arms Imports (US$) - CustomsChartThe annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to South Korea is reported by Customs to be US$

57,292,00044
27,700,000
505,056,000
275,267,000
70,640,000
114,099,000
98,470,000
115,463,000
164,505,000
17,859,000
149,932,000
199,105,000
133,244,000
31,848,000
8,913,000
29,724,000
19,034,000
62,251,000
8,050,000
29,070,000
130,000,00045
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Smuggling Guns and AmmunitionReports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in South Korea is moderate4
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Regulation of Arms BrokersIn South Korea, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law46 47 27 48
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End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in South Korea include29 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use
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Transparency of Small Arms TransfersChartIn its annual Small Arms Trade Transparency Barometer, the Small Arms Survey compares public reporting among major arms exporting nations on a scale from strong to weak (25 to zero). In recent years, South Korea scored 

11.75
10.2549
11.7550
9.7551
10.0052
9.7553
9.7554
10.2555
10.0056
9.7557
9.7558
10.0059
9.7560
9.7561
9.2562 

MeasuresGun RegulationCompare
Firearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in South Korea is categorised as restrictive63
Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in South Korea includes the Act on the Control of Firearms of 196164 65 and the Act on Defense Acquisition of 200627 66
Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in South Korea are regulated by the National Police27 67
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Right to Possess FirearmsIn South Korea, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law68 69
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Restricted Firearms and AmmunitionIn South Korea, civilians are not allowed to possess military weapons, such as revolvers, pistols, automatic and semi-automatic rifles and machine guns with no exceptions70
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Regulation of Automatic WeaponsIn South Korea, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited70
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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault WeaponsIn South Korea, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited in all but exceptional circumstances70
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Regulation of HandgunsIn South Korea, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited70
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Law Regulates Long GunsIn South Korea,  civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is regulated by law70
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Gun Ownership and PossessionIn South Korea, only licensed gun owners67 27 70 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition
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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm PossessionApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in South Korea are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example hunting, sport, or pest control71 70 67
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Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in South Korea is 20 years4
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Gun Owner Background ChecksAn applicant for a firearm licence in South Korea must pass a background check which considers criminal and mental health67 records
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Reference Required for Firearm LicenceIn South Korea, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required4
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Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in South Korea does not stipulate4 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked
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Firearm Safety TrainingIn South Korea, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required72 66 for a firearm licence
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Gun Owner Licensing PeriodIn South Korea, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every three years73 67
Firearm Registration
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Civilian Gun RegistrationIn South Korea, the law requires74 75 76 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register
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Gun Dealer Record KeepingIn South Korea, licensed firearm dealers are required77 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority
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Gun Manufacturer Record KeepingIn South Korea, licensed gun makers are required77 25 76 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority
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State-Owned Firearm RecordsIn South Korea, State agencies are required76 78 79 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control
Gun Sales and Transfers
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Regulation of Dealer Gun SalesIn South Korea, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful67
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Limit on Gun Dealer SalesIn South Korea, the number and type of firearms which can be sold by a licensed gun dealer to a single gun owner is limited to 400 cartridges (5,000 cartridges in the case of blank cartridges in staple guns for construction) per day80
Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition
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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in South Korea include81 4 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners
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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in South Korea include82 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers
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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentGovernment regulations in South Korea include78 83 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities
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Firearm and Ammunition Transport RegulationsRegulations in South Korea include84 31 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit
Carrying Guns
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Law Regulates Firearms in PublicIn South Korea, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law67
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Carrying Guns Openly in PublicIn South Korea, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited84 4
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Penalty for Illicit Firearm PossessionIn South Korea, the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm85 is 10 years in prison or a fine86

MeasuresInternational Controls
Regional Agreements
United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal JusticeThe UNCCPCJ, a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, lists87 South Korea as an elected member
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Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and DevelopmentThe Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative aimed at addressing the interrelations between armed violence and development, was signed in 200688 by South Korea.
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Arms Trade TreatyThe Arms Trade Treaty has been signed and  ratified89 by South Korea
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United Nations Firearms ProtocolThe United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed and ratified90 by South Korea
United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA
UNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, South Korea committed to a consensus decision of the United Nations to adopt, support and implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects91
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UNPoA Implementation Monitor ScoreIn its UN small arms Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (PoAIM Phase 1), the Small Arms Survey scored South Korea against its commitments to the PoA, then ranked it at No. 1192 93 94 95 among 159 Member States
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UNPoA National ReportingUnder the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, South Korea has submitted one or more national reports96 48 on its implementation of the UNPoA
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UNPoA National Point of ContactIn South Korea, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated48
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UNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn South Korea, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated48 97
UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated48 by South Korea to other UN Member States
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United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, South Korea has declared98 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.
United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, South Korea has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199199
Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies lists100 South Korea as a Participating State

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal ProfileLink
About SDG 16The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals set by the United Nations to be implemented by all member states by 2030. Adopted in 2015, they outline a vision of development in which peace and security are an integral part.

SDG 16,101 which seeks to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,” includes targets and indicators focused on reducing violence (Target 16.1) and the proliferation of illicit arms (Target 16.4). The indicators – or measurement criteria – of these targets include the number of victims of intentional homicide (Indicator 16.1.1), the number of conflict-related deaths (Indicator 16.1.2), and the number of illicit firearms collected and traced (Indicator 16.4.2).

In light of these targets and indicators, GunPolicy.org provides granular national data pertaining to homicides, gun homicides, conflict deaths, disarmament efforts, and marking and tracing.
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Homicides (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual homicides by any means total 

30814
297
309
301
356
375
511
564
542
552
624
676
684
703
1,074
1,061
1,084
998
957
1,051
95515
993
975 
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Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

0.6014
0.58
0.60
0.59
0.70
0.74
0.74
0.70
0.87
0.81
0.98
1.38
1.40
1.45
2.3
2.3
2.316
2.1
2.1
2.3
2.0215
2.12
2.10
2.216
2.0
1.9
1.6217
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Male Homicide Victims (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual male homicides by any means total 

16414
138
15218
147
194
214
184
170
216
186
352
355
359
369
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Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

0.6414
0.54
0.59
0.57
0.63
0.70
1.04
1.20
1.19
1.25
1.43
1.45
1.47
1.52
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Female Homicide Victims (any method)ChartIn South Korea, annual female homicides by any means total 

13814
154
154
153
238
244
250
264
245
242
272
321
325
334
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Rate of Female Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)ChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is 

0.5414
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.76
0.78
0.76
0.72
0.88
0.87
1.11
1.31
1.34
1.38
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Gun HomicidesChartIn South Korea, annual firearm homicides total 

111
1
4
2
1611
12
811
312
17
4
12
9
17
1416 
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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0.01
0
0.01
0.01
0.01
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.0419
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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a GunChartIn South Korea, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be 

2%20
1.7%16
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Male Gun Homicide VictimsChartIn South Korea, annual male firearm homicides total 

111
1
4
1
5
3
3
1
9
2
2
3
4
1
8
5
8
10
4
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Rate of Male Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of male firearm homicide per 100,000 population is 

011
0
0.02
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
0
0.04
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.02
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Female Gun Homicide VictimsChartIn South Korea, annual female firearm homicides total 

111
2
2
111
0
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
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Rate of Female Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleChartIn South Korea, the annual rate of female firearm homicide per 100,000 population is 

0.0111
0.01
0
0.01
0
0.02
0.01
0.01
Link
Conflict DeathsFor a profile of conflict in South Korea, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University
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DisarmamentAuthorities in South Korea are known to have66 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation
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Destruction and Disposal PolicyIn South Korea, it is state policy78 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market
Marking and Tracing
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Firearm MarkingIn South Korea, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law76 102 75 103 
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Firearm TracingIn South Korea, state authorities carry out104 75  recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures
Link
Global Peace IndexTo see where South Korea ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on South Korea on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page

Short References

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92.: Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Findings - Table 3: Reporting States by Rank and Score.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8752)Full Citation
93.: Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘What do the PoAIM Scores Represent? How Should the PoAIM Scores Be Interpreted?.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8753)Full Citation
94.: Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Point Allocation System.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8754)Full Citation
95.: Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Introduction.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8755)Full Citation
96.: Cattaneo, Silvia and Sarah Parker.2008.‘Reporting, NPCs and NCAs, 2002 to 2008.’ Implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons: Analysis of the National Reports submitted by States from 2002 to 2008.Geneva:United Nations Development Programme,1 November. (Q20)Full Citation
97.: South Korea.2014.‘National Coordination Agency.’ National Report of the Republic of Korea on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York NY:Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations,31 January. (Q12858)Full Citation
98.: UNODA.2011.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports.’ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms - Transparency in the Global Reported Arms Trade.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 October. (Q14)Full Citation
99.: UN.2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York, NY:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation
100.: Wassenaar Arrangement.1996.‘Introduction: Participating States.’ Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.Vienna:Wassenaar Secretariat,12 July. (Q19)Full Citation
101.: United Nations.2017.‘Relevant Targets & Indicators.’ Sustainable Development Goal 16.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,6 July. (Q14093)Full Citation
102.: South Korea.2014.‘International Transfers - Marking at Import.’ National Report of the Republic of Korea on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York NY:Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations,31 January. (Q12867)Full Citation
103.: South Korea.2010.‘Measures to Prevent the Manufacture, Stockpiling, Transfer, and Possession of Unmarked or Inadequately Marked SALW.’ National Report of the Republic of Korea on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York, NY:Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations,1 May. (Q4684)Full Citation
104.: South Korea.2014.‘International Tracing.’ National Report of the Republic of Korea on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York NY:Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations,31 January. (Q12872)Full Citation

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