By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- The Obama administration opposes South Korea's plans to sell a number of M1 rifles used in the Korean War to American gun collectors due to concerns of their illicit use, and is seeking an alternative option, the State Department said Thursday.

   "Earlier this year the Department rescinded its May 7, 2009, decision to allow the ROK to transfer 87,310 M1 Garands and 770,160 M1 Carbines into the United States," a State Department official said, asking anonymity. "The decision to review the transfer was based on concerns that the transfer of such a large number of weapons could potentially be exploited by individuals seeking the firearms for illicit purposes."

   The official said Washington is "working closely with our ROK Allies and the U.S. Army as we explore alternative options," without elaborating.

   Reports said Washington is considering melting the guns down.

   South Korea needs the U.S. government's permission for the sale of the M1 rifles as they were provided to South Korea as part of U.S. military aid during the 1950-53 Korean War.

   The South Korean government wants to dispose of the antique rifles to reduce the cost for their storage.

   Gun rights advocates say possession of M1 rifles is legal in the U.S., noting they are semi-automatics, not machine guns.

   The South Korean government sold 200,000 M1 rifles to the U.S. in 1987 under the Reagan administration.

   hdh@yna.co.kr
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