Viewer Shin Geo-ro Arrested
A man in his 40s was arrested by the police for brandishing a sword without permission during a YouTube live broadcast.
According to Yonhap News on the 13th, the Changnyeong Police Station in Gyeongnam booked a man in his 40s, identified as A, without detention on charges of possessing two swords without permission (violation of the Act on the Safety Control of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives).
A is accused of swinging a sword while drinking at home during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel on the 8th. The incident was uncovered after a viewer who watched the broadcast reported to the police, stating that A appeared mentally unstable.
He told the police that he purchased two swords on Danggeun Market in 2018 for decorative purposes. The total lengths of the swords were 87 cm (blade 59 cm, handle 28 cm) and 75 cm (blade 53 cm, handle 22 cm), respectively.
Under current law, possession permission is required if the blade length is 15 cm or longer, or if the blade is shorter than 15 cm but is sharp enough to be clearly used as a weapon. However, unlike firearms, which require permission renewal every three years, swords do not have a separate renewal obligation.
The police plan to investigate the detailed circumstances of the case with A.
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