Rep. Moon Jeong-bok analyzes Incheon International Airport Corp. data

2,300 imitation firearms seized in 2025 alone

Lawmaker calls for tighter screening to keep dangerous items off planes

Rep. Moon Jeong-bok of the Democratic Party of Korea [provided by the lawmaker's office]
Rep. Moon Jeong-bok of the Democratic Party of Korea [provided by the lawmaker's office]

A total of 1,473 security-threat items banned from aircraft — including firearms, live ammunition, bladed weapons and stun guns — were seized over the three years from 2023 to 2025, according to newly released data.

The figures were submitted to Rep. Moon Jeong-bok of the Democratic Party of Korea by Incheon International Airport Corp. Moon sits on the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and represents Siheung-gap in Gyeonggi Province. The data show 482 cases detected in 2023, 540 in 2024 and 451 in 2025.

Live ammunition accounted for the largest share, with 311 cases in 2023, 363 in 2024 and 283 in 2025, for a three-year total of 957 cases, the data showed.

Security-threat items were found not only in carry-on baggage but also consistently in checked luggage. Of the 451 cases detected last year, 205 were found in carry-on bags and 246 in checked baggage, meaning checked luggage accounted for the majority of seizures.

Imitation firearms, counted separately from other security-threat items, were also seized in significant numbers — jumping from 994 cases in 2023 to 1,342 in 2024 and 2,300 in 2025.

"Given that a significant number of dangerous items are being found in checked baggage, we need to carefully examine whether there are any blind spots in the security screening process," Moon said. "In particular, as imitation firearms are also increasing every year, we must strengthen advance guidance so passengers are fully aware of prohibited items, and continuously improve our screening and management systems to ensure that items capable of threatening aircraft safety do not in fact make it on board."


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