"Military Uniforms for 30,000 Won" Online Transactions of Military Supplies Increase

Veterans Trade Military Uniforms and Combat Boots in Secondhand Markets
Illegal Distribution Punishable by Up to 1 Year Imprisonment or 10 Million Won Fine

Online illegal trading of military supplies used by the armed forces is increasing. Even military uniforms worn by discharged soldiers are being openly sold, raising urgent calls for countermeasures. The sale of unauthorized military supplies is illegal under the "Act on the Control of Military Uniforms and Military Equipment."

On the 20th, soldiers are trying on new material combat uniforms and advanced equipment introduced at the Warrior Platform Development Seminar held at the National Assembly. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

According to data submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to the National Assembly's Defense Committee on the 27th, the number of cases caught for illegal sales of military supplies increased more than twofold from 123 cases in 2021 to 265 cases last year. As of August this year, 129 cases have been detected, and the number of detected cases is expected to increase further, similar to last year.

The distribution process of illegal sales of military supplies has seen online sales increase about threefold from 85 cases in 2021 to 248 cases. In contrast, the number of distribution cases sold in offline markets decreased from 38 cases in 2021 to 17 cases last year.

The Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters reports that 99 cases of online transactions were detected by August this year, and the number is expected to rise further. The main items traded were military uniforms mainly sold by reservists who have completed their military service. The Investigation Headquarters reports that combat uniforms are traded for 30,000 to 50,000 KRW, and combat boots for 50,000 to 100,000 KRW.

In 2021, the new type of body armor of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces was sold on the U.S. online distribution company "eBay," causing controversy. The military sent the new body armor to a performance testing agency located in the U.S. for evaluation, and it is reported that one of the evaluated products ended up listed on eBay.

Illegal manufacturing or selling of military uniforms or similar uniforms can result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. Additionally, under current law, theft of firearms, ammunition, and explosives is punishable by life imprisonment or imprisonment of five years or more; theft of military rations, fuel, communication equipment, and military uniforms is punishable by life imprisonment or imprisonment of one year or more. Furthermore, illegal manufacturing and selling of similar military uniforms is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW; illegal wearing or carrying of similar military uniforms and military equipment is punishable by a fine of up to 100,000 KRW, detention, or a fine.

A military official stated, "Although the new body armor of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces was sold on the U.S. online distribution company eBay, the case was dismissed, highlighting the need for institutional improvements to prevent recurrence."