Police Intensify Efforts to Curb Sale and Use of Fake Uniforms During Halloween

SEOUL: Police are intensifying efforts to prevent the sale and use of police officer costumes during Halloween festivities, implementing strict measures to curb this practice. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced on Monday that they have ramped up online monitoring to stop the indiscriminate distribution and usage of counterfeit police uniforms and equipment. This crackdown began last Friday and will continue for two weeks before and after Halloween, concluding on November 3. The initiative involves the close scrutiny of 54 major online retailers and second-hand transaction platforms, with violators facing investigation. Last week, the KNPA issued an official letter to the Korea Online Shopping Association, urging vendors to comply with existing laws and block searches for terms related to police uniforms. In addition, on-site inspections will be conducted at major Halloween festival locations to identify individuals wearing police costumes. Current legislatio n makes it illegal for non-police officers to wear police uniforms or possess police equipment, with penalties including up to six months of imprisonment or fines up to 3 million won (approximately US$2,170). Sellers of such items face harsher penalties, including up to one year in prison or fines reaching 10 million won. In 2022, the presence of numerous individuals dressed as police officers during Halloween led to confusion and a delayed response to a crowd crush in the Itaewon district of Seoul, as real officers were mistaken for civilians.