[THE INVESTOR] South Korea caught several attempts to smuggle totaling 246 firearms into the country over the first eight months of the year, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.

It already marks the highest number of guns confiscated by KCS in a year in the 2010s, according to Rep. Yun Ho-jung of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea.

The growth seems affected by a rising number of military goods enthusiasts, added Yun.

In South Korea, gun possession is outlawed except for soldiers, police officers and a small group of specially licensed people, although civilians are allowed to have air guns on a limited basis.

The KCS caught 180 firearms in 2015 alone, following 170 in 2014, 140 in 2013, 141 in 2012 and 160 in 2011.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)