Beating, Robbing, Forcing Employment... Gyeongnam Police Agency Strictly Cracks Down on Illegal Activities at Construction Sites

Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongnam police have drawn their swords against organized illegal activities such as extortion and violence rampant at construction sites.

On the 19th, the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced that it will conduct a special crackdown on illegal activities at construction sites for 200 days from the 8th until June 25, 2023.

The provincial police agency decided to push forward with the crackdown to eradicate illegal acts widespread at construction sites, restore fair hiring practices, and support the normalization of construction sites.

▲ Collective display of power through obstruction of business and violent acts ▲ Extortion of money or goods through organized violence or threats ▲ Forcing hiring of specific groups or use of construction machinery ▲ Illegal assemblies and protests ▲ Retaliatory acts against whistleblowers will be the main focus of the crackdown.

According to the provincial police agency, organized extortion and violence, which were previously investigated mainly by local police stations, will now be overseen comprehensively by the head of the investigation division of the provincial police agency, who will serve as the head of the comprehensive response team and centrally command major cases.

Major cases will be handled by the Metropolitan Investigation Unit, which will conduct intensive investigations targeting the ringleaders and their backers.

Each police station will operate a rapid response team led by the heads of investigation and criminal affairs departments to suppress illegal acts and arrest offenders in flagrante delicto upon receiving 112 emergency calls.

Violent acts demonstrating collective power, large-scale extortion under the pretext of management or welfare fees, ringleaders who plan and orchestrate illegal acts behind the scenes, and repeat offenders will be arrested and investigated.

For detected illegal activities, administrative sanctions such as fines and penalties will be imposed in cooperation with related government agencies including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Fair Trade Commission.

Safety measures for crime victims will also be implemented to protect whistleblowers and informants from retaliatory crimes.

A representative of the provincial police agency said, “To eliminate illegal activities at construction sites, not only strong police crackdowns but also active reporting and whistleblowing are most important,” and urged, “Please actively report or inform the permanently operating Hiring Order Reporting Center under the Ministry of Land or call 112.”

He added, “Those who threaten or commit retaliatory crimes against whistleblowers or informants will be relentlessly pursued and strictly prosecuted,” and said, “We will continue to mobilize all investigative capabilities and respond strongly until fairness and common sense are restored at construction sites.”

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