South Korea knife questions

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seth2915

Joined
Feb 13, 2007
Messages
97
Folks, I am living in South Korea, not a knife-friendly country. So I have a few questions.

1) Does anybody know of any knife store, or store that sells knives, other than Knife Gallery in Seoul?

2) Is it legal and possible for a non-Korean to get a knife permit in South Korea?

3) What are the legal concerns if a Korean gets a knife permit and gives the knife to a foreigner?

4) What are the legal concerns for a foreigner who gets a knife without a permit if it never leaves the house?

Thanks for the info.
 
I don't live in South Korea, but my wife is from there, and I've been there to visit about a dozen times over the past ten years. You are correct in your assessment that it is NOT a knife friendly country- in that it is almost impossible to find knives for sale. I look around every time I visit for knives, and have never found anything other than Victorinox SAKs, which are widely available in most department stores and shopping centers.

That said, I don't believe South Korea is particularly UN-friendly towards knives. I bring a knife with me and carry it without fear whenever I visit. It is a very friendly country, and there is almost no crime, so carrying a knife for SD is unnecessary. As long as you mind your business, I would say carry whatever you want and don't worry about it. Within reason of course. Wearing sheath knife in the city would probably be a bad idea, but a 4" folder would be fine I'm sure.

I've never heard anything about a "knife permit". South Korea is a very relaxed, peaceful country that is remarkably tolerant of outsiders, Americans in particular. If you go looking for trouble, of course you will find it, but in my experience, getting hassled by anyone for anything is extremely unlikely.
 
Yeah, folding knives don't seem to be a problem. I got a Buck Strider at a roadside rest stop. But the one knife store I have found said you have to get a "sword permit" for any blade over 15 cm. I could easily get my girlfriend to buy it with my money and get the permit, but I would rather do it inside the law. Again, not for SD, jsut for collection. Some neat stuff here.

Not looking for trouble at all, just collecting like I did in the states. Again, they will only ever leave the apartment in a suitcase, but I just want to know the laws, ins and outs.

Thanks.
 
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