42 Live Rounds Found on Incheon Coast, No Anti-Aircraft Suspicion... "Presumed for Export"

Angler Discovers and Reports... Domestic Defense Company Number Confirmed
Nearby Military Unit Investigation Finds No Leakage Cases

The live ammunition found in large quantities along the coast of Yeongjongdo, Incheon, at the end of last month is believed to be export ammunition.

According to the police on the 2nd, a fisherman discovered the live ammunition around 10:13 p.m. on the 29th of last month near Sammok Port in Jung-gu, Yeongjongdo, and reported it to the police.

Police and military authorities dispatched to the scene searched the coastline and found 27 rounds of live ammunition. Using metal detectors to conduct additional searches in the surrounding area, a total of 42 rounds were confirmed. The ammunition consisted of 34 rounds of 38 caliber pistol bullets and 8 rounds of 5.56mm rifle bullets.

Live ammunition found on the coast of Yeongjongdo, Incheon, at the end of last month [Image source=Online community capture]

After collecting the ammunition, the military authorities investigated whether there were any anti-aircraft suspicions or if the ammunition was military-grade. It was confirmed that the 34 pistol rounds bore serial numbers typically marked on export ammunition from domestic defense companies. Although serial numbers were not found on the 8 rifle rounds, since they were discovered in the same area as the pistol rounds, it is presumed they share the same origin.

The military authorities concluded there were no anti-aircraft concerns and handed over all the ammunition to the Incheon Coast Guard on the 31st of last month. Most of the ammunition retained its original shape, but it has not been confirmed whether they are actually functional for firing.

Subsequently, the military checked the status of ammunition inflow and outflow at military units stationed in Incheon but found no cases of external leakage, suggesting it is unlikely to be ammunition from the South Korean military. However, the exact source?whether the ammunition was lost during export or re-imported from overseas?has not been determined.

A Coast Guard official stated, “We are verifying the source after receiving the ammunition,” and added, “We plan to proceed with an investigation, including identifying the manufacturer.”