South Korea Tightens WMD Export Controls

South Korea yesterday moved to tighten export controls on WMD-related technologies, The Korea Herald reported (see GSN, Dec. 20, 2005).

A new law requires official confirmation of whether products to be shipped outside the country are “strategic goods.” The government would have to approve shipments of such material.

The revision also bans shipment of foreign-made strategic goods to third countries.

Prison terms of up to five years and fines of three times the value of the goods could be imposed in case of violation, the Herald reported.

Although Seoul has operated an export management system governing strategic goods since 1989, lack of public awareness has inhibited its effectiveness, according to the Herald (Jin Dae-woong, The Korea Herald, June 21).

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