Weapons — South Korea
What travelers need to know about weapons in South Korea. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Weapons in South Korea: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
Leave pepper spray, stun guns, guns (air guns included), crossbows and large knives at home. In South Korea no one may possess any of them without a police permit issued where they live, and only licensed manufacturers and dealers may import them - a tourist cannot simply declare one at customs. Blades of 15 cm or more, and some shorter ones designated by decree, count as controlled swords. The one exception: competitors at an international shooting, hunting or martial-arts event can get a temporary import and possession permit for the guns, swords or crossbows used at the event from the police at the port of entry.
Pepper spray or stun gun possessed without a permit, or imported without an import permit: up to 5 years in prison or a fine up to KRW 10 million (Art. 71). Controlled blades and crossbows, same breaches: up to 10 years or up to KRW 50 million (Art. 70-2). Pistols, rifles, shotguns, air guns and similar, same breaches: 3 to 15 years or a fine of KRW 30 million to KRW 100 million (Art. 70). Replica guns that closely resemble real firearms may not be possessed: up to 2 years or up to KRW 5 million (Arts. 11, 73).
§ Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, official statute portal law.go.kr (DRF open API) - Safety Management of Guns, Swords, Explosives, etc. Act (총포ㆍ도검ㆍ화약류 등의 안전관리에 관한 법률), Act No. 20656, enforcement date 8 January 2026, arts. 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 70, 70-2, 71, 73, read in the authoritative KoreanVerified Sep 19, 2026