Seoul Police Investigate 26 Cases Including Cryptocurrency Fraud and Hacking... Summon Park Sang-hak Over 'Anti-North Korea Leaflet Distribution'

Jang Ha-yeon Seoul Cheongjang Press Conference
Outrage Over Assault by Belgian Ambassador's Wife
Confirming Whether 'Immunity Waiver' Is Under Review

Jang Ha-yeon, Chief of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police are accelerating investigations into illegal activities related to virtual currencies, such as hacking and fraudulent fundraising.

Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press conference on the 10th, "Investigations are underway for 12 cases including virtual currency fraud, embezzlement, and fraudulent fundraising," adding, "There are also 14 hacking cases."

As various crimes exploiting the virtual currency boom have been rampant, the police have conducted special crackdowns since March, arresting 147 individuals involved in hacking targeting virtual currencies and distributing malicious programs, among whom 5 have been detained.

Park Sang-hak, head of the Free Joseon Movement, who is currently under police investigation for allegedly distributing 'anti-North Korea leaflets,' will be summoned and questioned by the police today. Commissioner Jang said, "We are analyzing materials secured through search and seizure."

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Security Investigation Unit conducted a search and seizure of Park's office on the 6th. The Free Joseon Movement claimed that from the 25th to the 29th of last month, they sent 500,000 leaflets, 500 booklets, and 5,000 one-dollar bills twice using 10 balloons in the areas adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces.

Regarding the wife of the Belgian ambassador to Korea, who caused public outrage over an assault incident involving a clothing store employee, the police are reportedly in the final stages of confirming the waiver of diplomatic immunity. Commissioner Jang explained, "She appeared at Yongsan Police Station for questioning," and added, "We have inquired with the Belgian Embassy." According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, family members of diplomats are granted diplomatic immunity, and without a waiver, prosecution is impossible.

Additionally, Commissioner Jang addressed the investigation into Namyang Dairy Products, which sparked the 'Bulgaris controversy,' stating, "On the 30th of last month, we conducted a search and seizure at Namyang Dairy Products' headquarters and the Sejong Research Institute to secure related materials," and added, "We are analyzing the materials and conducting a thorough and strict investigation without any setbacks." Regarding singer Kim Heung-guk's alleged hit-and-run, he said, "We have requested video analysis from the Road Traffic Authority to clearly verify the black box footage," and "We will conduct a fact-finding investigation based on the results."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.