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The Dunsan Police Station in Daejeon reported on the 10th that it has formally charged a man in his 60s, without holding him in custody, for causing alarm by carrying a fake sword (1 meter in length) in public, which violates regulations regarding the possession of dangerous weapons in public areas.

Mr. A is under suspicion for repeatedly drawing and putting away a fake sword on a street in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, around 10 a.m. on the 4th, which led to concern among local residents.

Police, in response to a report that there is a person carrying a long sword, arrested Mr. A as a suspect.

Investigations verified that the sword owned by Mr. A was a counterfeit, not classified as a regulated weapon under the Sword and Firearms Control Act. It lacked a sharp blade and was incapable of cutting or slashing items.

Mr. A reportedly mentioned during the police inquiry, “I was carrying it for training and practice, without any specific intention.”

The police stated, “Taking into account Mr. A’s actions, the size of the sword, and the type of material it was made from, we are looking into whether his conduct might have caused fear among the public.”

The recent criminal law, which came into effect in April, addresses the possession of deadly weapons in public spaces. It states that people who carry and show such weapons in areas like streets or parks, without a valid reason, and create fear or worry, could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison or fined up to 10 million South Korean won.