THE REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
IN NORTH KOREA
North Korea had been under Japanese occupation until the 
Communists took over the country in August 1945. During the 
occupation period, the registration of firearms was regulated by 
the Governor-General Ordinance Concerning the Control of Firearms 
and Gunpowder¹/ and the Enforcement Regulation issued thereunder.²/
With respect to the control of firearms, Article 10 of 
the Ordinance provided:
Art. 10. In order to maintain public peace and 
order, the pertinent administrative agency may prohibit 
or restrict acceptance, transportation, carrying or use 
of firearms or gunpowder.
However, under the provisions of the Enforcement Regula-
tion, it was stipulated that any person who wished to manufacture,³/ 
sell,⁴/ import or export,⁵/ carry⁶/ or possess⁷/ firearms had to 
obtain permission from the competent administrative authorities or 
the police station having jurisdiction over the place where he 
resided. Any person who failed to obtain permission was subject 
to the following penalties: (1) imprisonment for not more than
____________________________________
¹/ Ordinance No. 3, August 21, 1912.
²/ Regulation No. 46, August 28, 1924.
³/ Articles 2, 3, and 4.
⁴/ Articles 5 and 6.
⁵/ Article 12.
⁶/ Article 19.
⁷/ Article 17.THE REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
IN NORTH KOREA
North Korea had been under Japanese occupation until the 
Communists took over the country in August 1945. During the 
occupation period, the registration of firearms was regulated by 
the Governor-General Ordinance Concerning the Control of Firearms 
and Gunpowder¹/ and the Enforcement Regulation issued thereunder.²/
With respect to the control of firearms, Article 10 of 
the Ordinance provided:
Art. 10. In order to maintain public peace and 
order, the pertinent administrative agency may prohibit 
or restrict acceptance, transportation, carrying or use 
of firearms or gunpowder.
However, under the provisions of the Enforcement Regula-
tion, it was stipulated that any person who wished to manufacture,³/ 
sell,⁴/ import or export,⁵/ carry⁶/ or possess⁷/ firearms had to 
obtain permission from the competent administrative authorities or 
the police station having jurisdiction over the place where he 
resided. Any person who failed to obtain permission was subject 
to the following penalties: (1) imprisonment for not more than
____________________________________
¹/ Ordinance No. 3, August 21, 1912.
²/ Regulation No. 46, August 28, 1924.
³/ Articles 2, 3, and 4.
⁴/ Articles 5 and 6.
⁵/ Article 12.
⁶/ Article 19.
⁷/ Article 17.THE REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
IN NORTH KOREA
North Korea had been under Japanese occupation until the 
Communists took over the country in August 1945. During the 
occupation period, the registration of firearms was regulated by 
the Governor-General Ordinance Concerning the Control of Firearms 
and Gunpowder¹/ and the Enforcement Regulation issued thereunder.²/
With respect to the control of firearms, Article 10 of 
the Ordinance provided:
Art. 10. In order to maintain public peace and 
order, the pertinent administrative agency may prohibit 
or restrict acceptance, transportation, carrying or use 
of firearms or gunpowder.
However, under the provisions of the Enforcement Regula-
tion, it was stipulated that any person who wished to manufacture,³/ 
sell,⁴/ import or export,⁵/ carry⁶/ or possess⁷/ firearms had to 
obtain permission from the competent administrative authorities or 
the police station having jurisdiction over the place where he 
resided. Any person who failed to obtain permission was subject 
to the following penalties: (1) imprisonment for not more than
____________________________________
¹/ Ordinance No. 3, August 21, 1912.
²/ Regulation No. 46, August 28, 1924.
³/ Articles 2, 3, and 4.
⁴/ Articles 5 and 6.
⁵/ Article 12.
⁶/ Article 19.
⁷/ Article 17.THE REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
IN NORTH KOREA
North Korea had been under Japanese occupation until the 
Communists took over the country in August 1945. During the 
occupation period, the registration of firearms was regulated by 
the Governor-General Ordinance Concerning the Control of Firearms 
and Gunpowder¹/ and the Enforcement Regulation issued thereunder.²/
With respect to the control of firearms, Article 10 of 
the Ordinance provided:
Art. 10. In order to maintain public peace and 
order, the pertinent administrative agency may prohibit 
or restrict acceptance, transportation, carrying or use 
of firearms or gunpowder.
However, under the provisions of the Enforcement Regula-
tion, it was stipulated that any person who wished to manufacture,³/ 
sell,⁴/ import or export,⁵/ carry⁶/ or possess⁷/ firearms had to 
obtain permission from the competent administrative authorities or 
the police station having jurisdiction over the place where he 
resided. Any person who failed to obtain permission was subject 
to the following penalties: (1) imprisonment for not more than
____________________________________
¹/ Ordinance No. 3, August 21, 1912.
²/ Regulation No. 46, August 28, 1924.
³/ Articles 2, 3, and 4.
⁴/ Articles 5 and 6.
⁵/ Article 12.
⁶/ Article 19.
⁷/ Article 17.THE REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
IN NORTH KOREA
North Korea had been under Japanese occupation until the 
Communists took over the country in August 1945. During the 
occupation period, the registration of firearms was regulated by 
the Governor-General Ordinance Concerning the Control of Firearms 
and Gunpowder¹/ and the Enforcement Regulation issued thereunder.²/
With respect to the control of firearms, Article 10 of 
the Ordinance provided:
Art. 10. In order to maintain public peace and 
order, the pertinent administrative agency may prohibit 
or restrict acceptance, transportation, carrying or use 
of firearms or gunpowder.
However, under the provisions of the Enforcement Regula-
tion, it was stipulated that any person who wished to manufacture,³/ 
sell,⁴/ import or export,⁵/ carry⁶/ or possess⁷/ firearms had to 
obtain permission from the competent administrative authorities or 
the police station having jurisdiction over the place where he 
resided. Any person who failed to obtain permission was subject 
to the following penalties: (1) imprisonment for not more than
____________________________________
¹/ Ordinance No. 3, August 21, 1912.
²/ Regulation No. 46, August 28, 1924.
³/ Articles 2, 3, and 4.
⁴/ Articles 5 and 6.
⁵/ Article 12.
⁶/ Article 19.
⁷/ Article 17.- 2 -
three (3) months or a fine of not more than one hundred (100) 
yen, or detention, or a minor fine in cases of manufacture, sale, 
import or export;⁸/ (2) imprisonment for not more than one (1) 
month or a fine of not more than two hundred (200) yen in the case 
of possession of firearms.⁹/
From the above laws in force before the Communists 
took over, we presume that there exist special laws regulating 
fire arms in the People's Republic of North Korea, which the 
Library does not have in its collection. However, the following 
provisions relating to fire arms in the Criminal Code may be of 
interest:
Art. 88. Persons who openly or secretly steal 
firearms, parts therefor, or ammunition from the
warehouse and depots of the Korean People's Army,
border detachment units, security service units, 
agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or from 
the regular or temporary installations of the afore-
mentioned military units shall be punished by imprison-
ment for a term of more than 5 years.
The same crimes committed with the threat or 
actual use of force endangering the life and health 
of persons charged with guard duties shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of more than 
10 years or, under aggravating circumstances, by 
death and total confiscation of property.
Art. 263. The shipment of gunpowder, explosives, 
and readily inflammable fluids by fraudulent means via
___________________
⁸/ Articles 103 and 104.
⁹/ Article 102.- 2 -
three (3) months or a fine of not more than one hundred (100) 
yen, or detention, or a minor fine in cases of manufacture, sale, 
import or export;⁸/ (2) imprisonment for not more than one (1) 
month or a fine of not more than two hundred (200) yen in the case 
of possession of firearms.⁹/
From the above laws in force before the Communists 
took over, we presume that there exist special laws regulating 
fire arms in the People's Republic of North Korea, which the 
Library does not have in its collection. However, the following 
provisions relating to fire arms in the Criminal Code may be of 
interest:
Art. 88. Persons who openly or secretly steal 
firearms, parts therefor, or ammunition from the
warehouse and depots of the Korean People's Army,
border detachment units, security service units, 
agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or from 
the regular or temporary installations of the afore-
mentioned military units shall be punished by imprison-
ment for a term of more than 5 years.
The same crimes committed with the threat or 
actual use of force endangering the life and health 
of persons charged with guard duties shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of more than 
10 years or, under aggravating circumstances, by 
death and total confiscation of property.
Art. 263. The shipment of gunpowder, explosives, 
and readily inflammable fluids by fraudulent means via
___________________
⁸/ Articles 103 and 104.
⁹/ Article 102.- 2 -
three (3) months or a fine of not more than one hundred (100) 
yen, or detention, or a minor fine in cases of manufacture, sale, 
import or export;⁸/ (2) imprisonment for not more than one (1) 
month or a fine of not more than two hundred (200) yen in the case 
of possession of firearms.⁹/
From the above laws in force before the Communists 
took over, we presume that there exist special laws regulating 
fire arms in the People's Republic of North Korea, which the 
Library does not have in its collection. However, the following 
provisions relating to fire arms in the Criminal Code may be of 
interest:
Art. 88. Persons who openly or secretly steal 
firearms, parts therefor, or ammunition from the
warehouse and depots of the Korean People's Army,
border detachment units, security service units, 
agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or from 
the regular or temporary installations of the afore-
mentioned military units shall be punished by imprison-
ment for a term of more than 5 years.
The same crimes committed with the threat or 
actual use of force endangering the life and health 
of persons charged with guard duties shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of more than 
10 years or, under aggravating circumstances, by 
death and total confiscation of property.
Art. 263. The shipment of gunpowder, explosives, 
and readily inflammable fluids by fraudulent means via
___________________
⁸/ Articles 103 and 104.
⁹/ Article 102.- 2 -
three (3) months or a fine of not more than one hundred (100) 
yen, or detention, or a minor fine in cases of manufacture, sale, 
import or export;⁸/ (2) imprisonment for not more than one (1) 
month or a fine of not more than two hundred (200) yen in the case 
of possession of firearms.⁹/
From the above laws in force before the Communists 
took over, we presume that there exist special laws regulating 
fire arms in the People's Republic of North Korea, which the 
Library does not have in its collection. However, the following 
provisions relating to fire arms in the Criminal Code may be of 
interest:
Art. 88. Persons who openly or secretly steal 
firearms, parts therefor, or ammunition from the
warehouse and depots of the Korean People's Army,
border detachment units, security service units, 
agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or from 
the regular or temporary installations of the afore-
mentioned military units shall be punished by imprison-
ment for a term of more than 5 years.
The same crimes committed with the threat or 
actual use of force endangering the life and health 
of persons charged with guard duties shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of more than 
10 years or, under aggravating circumstances, by 
death and total confiscation of property.
Art. 263. The shipment of gunpowder, explosives, 
and readily inflammable fluids by fraudulent means via
___________________
⁸/ Articles 103 and 104.
⁹/ Article 102.- 2 -
three (3) months or a fine of not more than one hundred (100) 
yen, or detention, or a minor fine in cases of manufacture, sale, 
import or export;⁸/ (2) imprisonment for not more than one (1) 
month or a fine of not more than two hundred (200) yen in the case 
of possession of firearms.⁹/
From the above laws in force before the Communists 
took over, we presume that there exist special laws regulating 
fire arms in the People's Republic of North Korea, which the 
Library does not have in its collection. However, the following 
provisions relating to fire arms in the Criminal Code may be of 
interest:
Art. 88. Persons who openly or secretly steal 
firearms, parts therefor, or ammunition from the
warehouse and depots of the Korean People's Army,
border detachment units, security service units, 
agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or from 
the regular or temporary installations of the afore-
mentioned military units shall be punished by imprison-
ment for a term of more than 5 years.
The same crimes committed with the threat or 
actual use of force endangering the life and health 
of persons charged with guard duties shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of more than 
10 years or, under aggravating circumstances, by 
death and total confiscation of property.
Art. 263. The shipment of gunpowder, explosives, 
and readily inflammable fluids by fraudulent means via
___________________
⁸/ Articles 103 and 104.
⁹/ Article 102.- 3 -
railroad, water transport, the mails, or by any other 
way shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 
up to 5 years.
Art. 264. The manufacture, storage, or sale of 
explosives without appropriate authorization shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.
Prepared by: Dr. Sung Yoon Cho
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library
Library of Congress
SYC:bac- 3 -
railroad, water transport, the mails, or by any other 
way shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 
up to 5 years.
Art. 264. The manufacture, storage, or sale of 
explosives without appropriate authorization shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.
Prepared by: Dr. Sung Yoon Cho
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library
Library of Congress
SYC:bac- 3 -
railroad, water transport, the mails, or by any other 
way shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 
up to 5 years.
Art. 264. The manufacture, storage, or sale of 
explosives without appropriate authorization shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.
Prepared by: Dr. Sung Yoon Cho
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library
Library of Congress
SYC:bac- 3 -
railroad, water transport, the mails, or by any other 
way shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 
up to 5 years.
Art. 264. The manufacture, storage, or sale of 
explosives without appropriate authorization shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.
Prepared by: Dr. Sung Yoon Cho
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library
Library of Congress
SYC:bac- 3 -
railroad, water transport, the mails, or by any other 
way shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of 
up to 5 years.
Art. 264. The manufacture, storage, or sale of 
explosives without appropriate authorization shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.
Prepared by: Dr. Sung Yoon Cho
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library
Library of Congress
SYC:bac