No, brass knuckles are classified as prohibited weapons under South Korea’s Act on the Control of Firearms, Swords, Explosives, and Other Articles (Act No. 14960), rendering their possession, manufacture, or importation illegal without exception. The National Police Agency (NPA) enforces this via strict inspections at customs and domestic retailers, with penalties including up to 3 years imprisonment or fines up to ₩30 million (≈$22,000). Recent 2026 amendments to the Act expanded the definition of “dangerous articles” to explicitly include brass knuckles, closing prior loopholes exploited by collectors.
Key Regulations for Brass Knuckles in South Korea
- Prohibition Status: Classified as a “dangerous article” under Article 2(1) of the Act on the Control of Firearms, Swords, Explosives, and Other Articles, brass knuckles are banned outright. The NPA’s 2025 enforcement guidelines treat them as equivalent to illegal firearms for sentencing purposes.
- Customs Enforcement: The Korea Customs Service (KCS) seizes brass knuckles at ports of entry, with mandatory destruction of confiscated items. Travelers carrying them risk immediate detention under Article 54 of the Act.
- Domestic Possession: Even historical or replica brass knuckles are subject to seizure under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act if deemed “harmful to public order,” as interpreted by local police departments in Seoul and Busan.