Police step up crackdown on fake uniforms ahead of Halloween

Police are ramping up their efforts to combat the proliferation of counterfeit police uniforms and equipment leading up to Halloween. The National Police Agency (NPA) has announced a one-week operation, set to commence on Monday and conclude on November 1st. This nationwide initiative aims to tackle the production, sale, and distribution of imitation police gear in collaboration with provincial and metropolitan police agencies.

Under existing legislation, civilians found in possession of official or counterfeit police uniforms or related equipment may face up to six months in prison or fines reaching 3 million won ($2,260). The heightened vigilance is a response to previous incidents that have raised concerns. In particular, the tragic 2022 Itaewon crowd crush highlighted the dangers posed by individuals dressed in police uniforms, as they were often mistaken for genuine officers, leading to confusion and hampering rescue efforts.

In addition to the police-specific regulation, Korea also enforces a separate law that prohibits civilians from wearing military uniforms, whether official or those that could render them indistinguishable from actual service members.