"Join Under the Boss"... Gang Recruiting Teens to Rebuild Organization Apprehended

A gang of violent criminals attempting to rebuild their organization by recruiting new members in the Gangseo-gu area of Seoul has been apprehended by the police.

The Detective Mobile Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on August 14 that it had arrested a total of 34 individuals, including the gang's second-in-command, identified as Mr. A (45), on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (organization formation and activities) and other offenses. Of these, nine individuals, including Mr. A, have been detained. In addition, the police have issued wanted notices for five gang members who are currently at large, and have requested passport invalidation and Interpol Red Notices for two members staying overseas.

A gang of violent criminals aiming for reconstruction in the Gangseo-gu area of Seoul. Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

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According to the police, over the past five years, Mr. A and his associates actively recruited new members in their teens to thirties, rebuilding the aging organization into a younger group, committing acts of violence and extorting money and valuables. After the organization was dismantled due to the arrest of its former boss, Mr. A, who was then one of the youngest members, led the rebuilding efforts, effectively taking over as the de facto leader in place of the nominally aging boss and expanding the organization.

The gang flaunted its power by extorting between 200,000 and 1.5 million won monthly from operators of room salons in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and by mobilizing about ten members to assault these business owners as a group. In particular, Mr. A reportedly assaulted a victim with a metal pipe after a dispute over debt repayment, gathering junior gang members to witness the incident.

The gang also forced its members to comply with a "10-Point Code of Conduct," assaulting those who failed to follow orders or attempted to leave the group. From October 2020 to May of last year, they collected monthly dues ranging from 100,000 to 1 million won from members in their thirties and older, amassing a total of approximately 240 million won.

Police investigations revealed that many of the newly recruited members were either unemployed or day laborers, with 16 new members joining the gang over the past five years. Some joined the organization as high school students and were arrested within two years.

A police official stated, "We have confirmed the so-called 'traditional gang' behavior, where an aging organization is rebuilt or expanded by bringing in younger generations, leading to illegal acts involving violence. We will thoroughly dismantle such violent organizations that threaten the local community and respond with strict enforcement."

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