Korean Airport Security at Incheon
- Thread starter cambeul41
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Taurus 617 CCW
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I believe those are H&K UMP sub machineguns. .45 caliber and they really pack a punch.
http://www.hk-usa.com/military_products/ump_general.asp
http://www.hk-usa.com/military_products/ump_general.asp
now i havent flown in a few years.......but are armed skirmishes now the norm at the check in counter......or are people really that angry when the airlines loose their baggage.....?
..assault rifles, tactical loadout.......it just seems a bit........excessive.....to me.
..assault rifles, tactical loadout.......it just seems a bit........excessive.....to me.
steelbird
Member
Airport security is generally stronger in other countries, and has been that way for a long time. And in the case of South Korea, there is a constant threat from the north, so these guys need to be armed strongly.
cambeul41
Member
It certainly looks like they have UMPs. Thank you.
Quiet
Member
Those are H&K subguns.cambeul41 said:
One on left is a H&K MP-5 and the one on the right is a H&K UMP-45.
ROK police SWAT/CT is testing out the H&K UMP-45 and H&K MP-7 as a replacement for the H&K MP-5.
M-Cameron said:
Technically, North Korea & South Korea are still at war.
The armistice that ceased hostilities in the Korean War 1950-53 was only good for 20 years. Around the mid-1970s, hostilities re-commenced but on an insurgency/counter-insurgency level.
That said, since the ending of marshal law in South Korea (early-1990s), the ROK Mil stop patroling the airports with Daewoo K-1A1s and K-2s.
The red beret wearing ROK police are SWAT/counter-terrorists. So, if you saw them at the airport, its because they were there on alert for something. They normally don't patrol around the airport.
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pikid89
Member
^ agreed the right gun (UMP) has a straight magazine for the .45, while the left gun (MP5) (kind of obscured) has a clearly visible curved magazine for the 9mm
steveno
Member
the police at Frankfurt have had submachine guns in the airport there since at least the early 1970's. the reason being Baader-Meinhof (spelling might be a little off) and the Red Army Faction among other groups. it was a fairly common occurence it isn't anything new in other countries.
AWorthyOpponent
Member
Recently got back from Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. The police at those places all had UMP's or MP5's and walked in groups of two like that(both in the airports and out). Kinda scary when your government won't let you have any guns, but they all have top of the line full auto.
Acera
Member
You think they are protecting you, or do think they are controlling you???
parsimonious_instead
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When I read travel guide books, one frequent admonishment is "don't take photographs of or around any airport" especially not of security procedures or personnel.
rbernie
Contributing Member
The politics, management, or effectivity of airport security are not on-topic for THR. Their weaponry is on-topic.
Let's maintain that distinction, please.
Let's maintain that distinction, please.
Dan Forrester
Member
I was in mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong a little less than a year ago.
In Macau the cops were carrying something (a revolver I believe) in a well covered flap holster. The casino cops were carrying what looked like first generation Glocks.
In Hong Kong the cops carried stainless revolvers. While I was there I just so happened to see the Ukrainian president there with his guards plus Hong Kong police on BMW R series bikes. The HK police had there revolvers the Ukrainian president’s guards were wearing dress jackets so who knows what they had under there or in the three cars they were traveling in.
In Mainland China I didn’t see a gun the entire two weeks I was there. All I saw was two adds for guns in two different places (rural countryside were talking) on the sides of buildings: one for a “bird hunting gun” and another for a “homemade gun” (my girlfriend translated) with phone numbers.
It was refreshing to not see all this militarization of the police or phony “War on Terror” BS everywhere you looked.
Dan
In Macau the cops were carrying something (a revolver I believe) in a well covered flap holster. The casino cops were carrying what looked like first generation Glocks.
In Hong Kong the cops carried stainless revolvers. While I was there I just so happened to see the Ukrainian president there with his guards plus Hong Kong police on BMW R series bikes. The HK police had there revolvers the Ukrainian president’s guards were wearing dress jackets so who knows what they had under there or in the three cars they were traveling in.
In Mainland China I didn’t see a gun the entire two weeks I was there. All I saw was two adds for guns in two different places (rural countryside were talking) on the sides of buildings: one for a “bird hunting gun” and another for a “homemade gun” (my girlfriend translated) with phone numbers.
It was refreshing to not see all this militarization of the police or phony “War on Terror” BS everywhere you looked.
Dan
When was the picture taken? I have also seen them carrying the Daewoo version of the M4.
When I was going back to Korea about 3 years ago, they stopped me for a "sword." It was a gerber folder with a 3 inch blade. They were all concerned about it, even bringing in a supervisor, asking "why do you need it?" I explained I enjoyed camping, hiking, and fishing, and they were still very concerned. Eventually I showed my state issued firearms license, telling them I carry guns in the US, and am authorized in my state to do so. They took it well, and let me keep it, warning me to travel by train and not by air with it (there is NO security/metal detectors) in the trains or stations. Funniest thing of all was that they didn't say a thing about my Cold Steel trail hawk sitting in the bag.
When I was going back to Korea about 3 years ago, they stopped me for a "sword." It was a gerber folder with a 3 inch blade. They were all concerned about it, even bringing in a supervisor, asking "why do you need it?" I explained I enjoyed camping, hiking, and fishing, and they were still very concerned. Eventually I showed my state issued firearms license, telling them I carry guns in the US, and am authorized in my state to do so. They took it well, and let me keep it, warning me to travel by train and not by air with it (there is NO security/metal detectors) in the trains or stations. Funniest thing of all was that they didn't say a thing about my Cold Steel trail hawk sitting in the bag.
Cosmoline
Member
They are stylin', that's for sure.
oldbear
Member
The United States is one of the few countries where police/ government security personal don't openly carry long guns. NYC, after September 11, 2001, is the only exception I know of, there may well be others.
AethelstanAegen
Member
+1 When I lived in Munich, Germany (the mid-1990s) it was not uncommon to see airport police with MP-5 submachine guns. In fact, I don't think I ever went to the airport there without seeing them thus armed. IIRC (and bear with me as I was young) the few times I was at Heathrow Airport (London), you'd occassionaly spot armed police also with MP-5s.
NoirFan
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Honestly, I don't see what's wrong with police openly carrying long guns. Most importantly they make shooting accurately much easier, resulting in reduced danger to the public. We all read about gunfights where police expend dozens of missed rounds from their handguns, and God knows where most of those bullets go.
And for those against the 'militarization' of police, what makes an SMG more militaristic than a pistol? Isn't labeling guns based on appearance something the antis do?
In Beijing you'll sometimes see riot police armed with shotguns and bullpup rifles standing around on street corners. Beat cops do not carry guns, however I once saw a beat cop doing foot patrol with an honest to God 6-foot bo staff. I guess in a gunless society, the staff becomes the king of weapons.
Cosmoline
Member
The Chinese arms issue has more to do with the peculiar structure of law enforcement in the quasi-communist state than any adherence to non-violence. The armed police are a branch of the PLA as I understand it, and would likely object to the lesser beat cops getting firearms. And I believe the MPS and county mounty equivalent are low man on totem, lucky to get an antiquated sidearm to share.
Locally, I've seen a lot more cops toting long arms. It seems to be SOP for responding to violent situations. And it's not a bad idea.
The "G20" sign behind those guys may also have something to do with their level of arms.
Locally, I've seen a lot more cops toting long arms. It seems to be SOP for responding to violent situations. And it's not a bad idea.
The "G20" sign behind those guys may also have something to do with their level of arms.
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Apocalypse-Now
Member
airsoft.
sure that pic wasn't taken at a mall in korea?
sure that pic wasn't taken at a mall in korea?
^ that would explain the aimpoint positioned behind the eotech on the UMP. I can't figure out why anyone would do that or how you would use those two in conjunction with each other... especially with the aimpoint setup so the dot would be on top of the eotech's cover...
steelbird
Member
Forgot to mention my experience in the Philippines- about 12 years ago, saw submachine guns, but the shotguns of the "streetsweeper" type seemed to be more common. Of course, they've been dealing with the Moros, Communists and the Abus for years.
medalguy
Member
I was through Taipei and Hong Kong quite a bit back in the mid 80's and it was common for cops in Kai Tak airport to carry MP5's. Also a few times I ventured over into mainland China and the border guards carried SMG's although I don't recall what type.
Gives you a funny feeling when they sit behind that big tall desk looking at your passpost, thumbing through a big book, and guards talking animatedly back and forth looking at you. Conversely, a very warm fuzzy feeling when they hand back your passport and wave towards the train. Kinda like walking thru JFK these days.
It was pretty common as far back as 1980 for overseas security personnel to carry some pretty heavy ordnance. I assume most of them are even better armed today.
Gives you a funny feeling when they sit behind that big tall desk looking at your passpost, thumbing through a big book, and guards talking animatedly back and forth looking at you. Conversely, a very warm fuzzy feeling when they hand back your passport and wave towards the train. Kinda like walking thru JFK these days.
It was pretty common as far back as 1980 for overseas security personnel to carry some pretty heavy ordnance. I assume most of them are even better armed today.
cambeul41
Member
I have no idea when or where the picture was taken, my wife got it from the internet and says she is positive that these were the uniforms and weapons she saw.
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