'Less-lethal' handgun introduction sparks debate as crime rates rise

A “less-lethal” handgun is displayed at Seodaemun Police Station in Seodaemun District, northwestern Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

In the aftermath of a series of shocking violent crimes committed against strangers in public, Korea is considering equipping police officers with "less-lethal" handguns starting next year, a move which has sparked public debate over the police's use of force in subduing criminal suspects.

A 30-year-old man wielding a knife engaged in a tense standoff with police for two and a half hours in northwestern Seoul's Eunpyeong District, Aug. 26. The police placated the man by fulfilling his demands for fried chicken and soju, a Korean alcoholic beverage.

However, officers refrained from using electronic stun guns during the standoff. Their reluctance reportedly stemmed from the fear of legal repercussions should the suspect sustain injuries.

This recent incident amplified the public's calls for law enforcement to adopt more effective methods to subdue suspects, fueled by the increase in what Korean media outlets refer to as "don't-ask-why" crimes targeting random individuals which spread fear among the public.

Responding to public demands, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced a budget allocation of 8.6 billion won ($6.5 million) for the acquisition of "less-lethal" handguns.

These handguns, devised in 2020, shoot plastic bullets at approximately one-tenth the force of traditional firearms, enabling officers to subdue suspects without causing severe injuries.

The specialized firearms are scheduled for distribution to all police officers in the field next year.

Park Jae-bum, head of equipment operations at the Korean National Police Agency, noted that the testing of the device was deemed successful.

"Officers who took part in test firings found these new handguns to be lighter, less noisy and emit minimal vibration compared to conventional pistols," Park said.

Police officers are seen at a standoff with a 30-year-old man wielding a knife in a residential area of northwestern Seoul's Eunpyeong District, Aug. 26. Yonhap

Experts also view them as valuable additions for subduing criminals, especially since stun guns can be ineffective against suspects wearing heavy clothing. Moreover, the use of these specialized firearms reduces officers' concerns regarding the legal consequences that might come with using traditional guns.

Oh Yoon-sung, a police administration professor at Soonchunhyang University, pointed out that the "less-lethal" handgun "emerges as a well-positioned intermediary between the Taser and the pistol."

He also emphasized the need to revise the legal framework and increase public awareness to allow police to execute their duties without hesitation, especially when confronting threatening suspects.

A 2010 case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges police face when using force. In that incident, a man with a knife accidentally fatally injured himself after police used a stun gun on him. Later, the court ruled that the country had to pay compensation to the man's family, even though he was armed.

Oh said that there is a perception among officers that guns are more for show than for actual use.

“There are jokes among police that guns are not for shooting but for throwing,” he said. “With the introduction of new handguns, it is essential to enhance exoneration provisions in the police's process of duty execution for an effective outcome.”

SNT Motiv, the company behind the "less-lethal" handguns, revealed that the firearms were originally developed in Korea and have already been exported to the Middle East. The company noted that it is committed to fine-tuning their design before the anticipated rollout to domestic police.