Even Gangs Embrace the 'MZ' Era... Renting Out Fake Bank Accounts and Wearing Luxury Brands for Selfies

Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division Prosecutor Choi Soon-ho
"2030 Gangsters Act as the Hands and Feet of Violent Organizations"
"Show Off Organization and Power on SNS... Activities Becoming More Active"

Illegal medical practitioners who performed 'gangster tattoos' on minors were caught in large numbers by the prosecution, sparking controversy. Recently, it has been reported that a famous gangster has been using social networking services (SNS) to approach teenagers and recruit them into the organization.

Choi Soon-ho, chief prosecutor of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 3rd, "The age group that acts as the hands and feet of violent organizations are young gangsters in their 20s and 30s," adding, "Recently, the number of MZ generation gangsters has been increasing."

Prosecutor Choi expressed concern that gangsters who used to operate underground have recently been coming into the open using SNS. He said, "They boldly engage in street fights in broad daylight, and crimes such as gambling and voice phishing have also increased. The activities of young gangsters are becoming more active."

Illegal medical practitioners who promoted 'gangster tattoo procedures' on social media have been collectively indicted on charges including professional negligence causing injury and violations of the Health Crime Control Act. [Image source=Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office]

He continued, "MZ gangsters transcend factions and hold peer meetings both online and offline. These regular gatherings are acts of showing off their organizations," explaining, "They are strengthening mutual solidarity among organizations nationwide. They lend each other fake bank accounts and burner phones, and divide roles when committing crimes."

He added, "There are so-called 'star gangsters' on SNS. They get foreign luxury cars and Irezumi (traditional Japanese tattoos) that students would envy," and "They wear luxury brands and post photos of gangster unity."

'Star gangsters' flaunt themselves in this way and also lure teenagers into violent organizations. Prosecutor Choi explained, "A star gangster contacted two third-year middle school delinquent students in Gwangju and reportedly held an interview at a nearby cafe," adding, "If they pass the interview, they are approved to join the organization. Those two delinquent middle school students joined the violent organization in this way."

In fact, the number of MZ gangsters is on the rise. According to the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters, during a special crackdown on organized violent crime from March 13 to July 12 over four months, 1,589 people were arrested, of which 919 (57.8%) were aged 30 or younger.

Scenes of nationwide gang meetings uploaded on SNS (left), SNS posts by MZ gangsters mentioning the International Mafia Group, etc. [Image source=Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office]

Illegal medical practitioners who tattooed gangster tattoos on minors were also caught in large numbers by the prosecution. On the 31st of last month, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office announced that a total of 16 people were indicted without detention on charges of illegally performing gangster tattoos (violation of the Special Act on the Control of Health Crimes) and violations of the Narcotics Control Act.

According to the prosecution, among them, 12 professional practitioners are suspected of illegally tattooing gangster tattoos on about 2,000 people, including 128 gangsters from eight organized crime factions such as the International PJ faction, Chungjang OB faction, and Mudeungsan faction, and possessing the medical narcotic 'fentanyl' at tattoo shops.

Additionally, the prosecution secured treatment lists from these practitioners and identified new members of violent organizations, indicting them on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes, etc. Analysis of the treatment lists revealed that 32 minors received gangster tattoo procedures to join violent organizations, and among them, four actually joined violent organizations.

It is also reported that some minors committed crimes such as extortion to earn money for tattoo procedures.

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