Domestic Firearm Manufacturer's 'Dangerous Export', Police Investigation Launched [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

The red light has turned on for rifles, a major export item of 'K-Defense'. The police are investigating domestic firearm manufacturers on suspicion of illegally exporting rifles, making damage to the 'K-Defense' image inevitable.

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According to intelligence authorities on the 24th, the Busan Customs Office recently detected and is investigating a domestic trading company suspected of illegally exporting firearm parts such as sights, bolt carriers, firing pins, and suppressors. This trading company exported over one hundred thousand items presumed to be firearm parts from 2019 to last year without obtaining permission from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

These export items are classified as strategic materials. According to Article 19 of the Foreign Trade Act, strategic materials are restricted export items and can only be exported with the approval of the head of DAPA. Busan Customs is reviewing the trading company's suspected violations of the Foreign Trade Act and Customs Act.

An employee of the trading company, Mr. A, previously worked in the overseas sales department of company S, a domestic firearm manufacturer, and established the trading company after resigning in 2019. While working at company S, Mr. A had repeatedly taken out 589 confidential company documents, including blueprints and cost data, without authorization. Intelligence authorities believe Mr. A used these materials to develop export channels.

The police are also investigating another firearm manufacturer, company D. Since 2016, company D has supplied firearms to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the police recently suspect that the firearms were illegally diverted to a third country, not the UAE, and are investigating company D accordingly. It is reported that the police have detected circumstances indicating that company D’s firearms without serial numbers are being supplied to the conflict-ridden Middle East.

An intelligence official stated, “If rifles are illegally exported, there is a high possibility they will be used in wars such as Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, which will inevitably damage the image of the domestic defense industry,” adding, “We plan to block unauthorized exports through thorough investigations.”

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