Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Illegal exports of strategic goods reach 1.25 trillion won in five years
South Korea recorded 136 illegal exports of strategic goods worth 1.25 trillion won from 2022 through August 2026, using customs cases referred to prosecutors.
These goods can be used to develop or make conventional weapons or weapons of mass destruction.
The value recorded in the first eight months of 2026 was 819.9 billion won, up sharply from 61 billion won in 2022.
A separate count by the industry ministry, which also includes administrative penalties, recorded 251 cases over the same period.
One case involved the illegal export of 98 high-precision machine tools to Russia in 2022 and 2023.
Such tools can be used to make weapons of mass destruction, and exports to Russia have been banned since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
A lawmaker says South Korea should add more staff to help identify strategic goods at customs and strengthen cargo inspections.
Illegal exports of strategic goods from South Korea totalled 1.2464 trillion won over five years through August 2026, according to customs data submitted to a lawmaker.
The figure covered 136 cases referred to prosecutors and was 134 times higher than in 2022.
A separate count by the industry ministry, which also includes administrative penalties, recorded 251 cases over the same period.
A case cited by the lawmaker involved 98 precision machine tools illegally exported to Russia 76 times in 2022 and 2023.
The lawmaker called for more staff to help identify strategic goods at customs and stronger cargo screening.
- Who
- South Korean lawmaker Kim Do-eup cited customs and industry ministry figures on illegal exports of strategic goods.
- What
- The reported value of illegal exports reached 1.2464 trillion won over five years through August 2026.
- When
- The figures cover 2022 through August 2026. The report was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; one cited illegal export case involved goods sent to Russia.
- Why
- Strategic goods can be used to develop or manufacture conventional weapons or weapons of mass destruction.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Urgent measures are needed to strengthen the response to illegal exports of strategic goods.
We must expand on-site personnel who determine whether goods are strategic items and expand and strengthen cargo selectivity inspections.
Customs recorded 14 cases of illegal strategic-goods exports worth 6.1 billion won.
Customs recorded 13 cases worth 30.7 billion won.
Customs recorded 53 cases worth 191.4 billion won.
Customs recorded 34 cases worth 198.3 billion won.
Customs recorded 22 cases worth 819.9 billion won, while the industry ministry's broader count recorded 47 cases.
- Customs total
- 136 cases worth 1.2464 trillion won from 2022 through August 2026
- Industry ministry total
- 251 cases over the same five-year period, including cases subject to administrative penalties
- Most frequent item category
- Chemical equipment, with 34 cases
- Russia exports
- 98 precision machine tools worth 15.5 billion won were illegally exported in 76 shipments during 2022–2023
- On-site staff
- Three personnel were assigned to support strategic-goods assessments at customs sites: one each at Incheon Airport, Busan Customs and the Korea Customs Service headquarters
Sources
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