South Korea to arm police officers with less lethal handguns

Actual revolvers have already been distributed to some 22,000 officers deployed on the streets for patrolling or in other public safety roles across the nation. - AP

SEOUL (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network): Tens of thousands of South Korea’s police officers dedicated to crime deterrence and the patrolling of neighbourhoods will be armed with new less-lethal handguns, as part of nationwide efforts to curb crimes without obvious motives, President Yoon Suk-yeol said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday Aug 29).

The government expects the new measures to help law enforcement strengthen policing efforts, while serving as an alternative to conventional weapons to avoid police brutality.