'Fingerprint Powder and Brush' Used by Korean Police Exported to UAE... First Case of 'Security Hallyu Project'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Advanced forensic investigation equipment developed in Korea will be officially exported overseas based on the collaboration between the National Police Agency and KOTRA. It is expected to be an important turning point in the future spread of the 'K-Cop Wave.'

On the 29th, the National Police Agency announced that it will export 450 Korean-made forensic investigation devices, including 'compressed powder for fingerprint collection and brushes for forensic examination,' to the Abu Dhabi Police Department in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through KOTRA.

The beginning of this export dates back to last year. Through the 'K-Cop Wave project,' the National Police Agency has been dispatching police experts from various fields to the UAE to conduct a two-week 'security expert dispatch training' program to educate local police officers.

Through this project, the UAE police received training in fingerprint and bloodstain analysis techniques from Korean police in August last year, and in February this year, they requested the export of fingerprint collection equipment worth approximately 9 million KRW, including 350 units of compressed powder for fingerprint collection and 100 forensic brushes, to the Korean National Police Agency. This recognized the excellence of Korean forensic investigation equipment.

Accordingly, in March last year, the National Police Agency utilized the export collaboration process for security equipment established with KOTRA, which supports domestic companies' entry into overseas markets. When the National Police Agency receives requests for security equipment imports from foreign police agencies, KOTRA supports export procedures such as customs clearance through local trade offices for domestic manufacturers capable of exporting.

The compressed powder for fingerprint collection exported this time was developed in 2006 by Police Inspector Shin Kyung-taek, who was in charge of forensic investigation at the time, and jointly patented with a manufacturer in 2008. It is widely recognized for its excellence as it allows easy fingerprint collection and is harmless to the human body.

Meanwhile, from 2012 to 2019, through the security expert dispatch training project, the National Police Agency dispatched experts 156 times to 33 countries, transferring Korea’s excellent security system. However, this year, dispatches have been suspended due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

A National Police Agency official stated, "This export of forensic investigation equipment is the first case of exporting security equipment through official channels as a result of transferring our security techniques to various countries overseas," and emphasized, "We will continue to strive to export our excellent security equipment worldwide and actively cooperate with KOTRA."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.