Gang Members Group Assault in Downtown... Busan Organized Crime Threatening Citizens

Multiple Gangsters Inspired by Movie 'Chingu' Indicted
About 15% of Nationwide Organized Crime Groups Located in Busan

Members of the violent organizations 'Chilseongpa' and 'Shin 20th Century Pa,' who instilled fear in citizens by engaging in gang fights in the heart of downtown Busan, have been collectively brought to trial.

On the 19th, the Violent Crime Investigation Division of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had indicted 4 members of the Chilseongpa and 8 members of the Shin 20th Century Pa on charges including special assault and violation of the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (organization formation and activities).

The prosecution judged this as a serious organized crime case, as members of a violent organization collectively assaulted rival group members in Seomyeon, Busan's largest entertainment district, causing public anxiety.
[Photo by Busan District Prosecutors' Office]

According to the prosecution, in October 2021, a dispute arose between the organizations in Seomyeon, Busan, leading them to collectively assault members of the opposing group, causing injuries.

The prosecution has detained and indicted 5 individuals, including 2 Chilseongpa members and 3 Shin 20th Century Pa members, while 7 others were indicted without detention. One Chilseongpa member who participated in the assault and fled is still being pursued.

Among those brought to trial, 4 members were convicted of special injury charges. However, the prosecution additionally indicted them on charges of criminal organization activities. The crime of criminal organization activity carries a heavier penalty, with a statutory sentence of at least 2 years of imprisonment.

The prosecution regarded this as a serious organized crime case, noting that the violent gang members collectively assaulted rival members in Seomyeon, Busan's largest entertainment district, causing anxiety among citizens.

A prosecution official stated, "About 15% of the organized crime groups managed nationwide by the prosecution are concentrated in Busan. The violent gang members displayed their organization's power in the middle of downtown, performing 'kkakdugi greetings' (a 90-degree bow), which threatened citizens. We plan to thoroughly investigate and strictly respond not only to the violent gang members directly involved in the crimes but also to the organizations behind them."

The Over 40-Year-Long Rivalry Between Chilseongpa and Shin 20th Century Pa

Junior team members are bowing respectfully to senior team members
Photo by Busan District Prosecutors' Office

Chilseongpa and Shin 20th Century Pa are indigenous Busan-based violent organizations featured in the film 'Friend.' They have been clashing over dominance for more than 40 years since the 1980s.

Chilseongpa has held dominance in the local organized crime scene since the 1970s by basing its main income on Busan's entertainment establishments and has been known to intervene in various interests using this influence. The organization has about 200 members. Shin 20th Century Pa has relied mainly on arcades in Busan since the 1980s, with approximately 100 members. It is reported to currently operate as part of an anti-Chilseongpa alliance.

Their conflicts over interests have continued for a long time. Notably, in July 1993, a Chilseongpa executive mobilized junior members to murder a Shin 20th Century Pa executive, an incident widely known through the film 'Friend.'

In August 2005, a Chilseongpa member injured a Shin 20th Century Pa member with a weapon. In retaliation, around January 2006, about 60 Shin 20th Century Pa members attacked Chilseongpa members with weapons.

In September 2020, Chilseongpa members wielded weapons against Shin 20th Century Pa members, and in May 2021, Shin 20th Century Pa members sought out Chilseongpa members attending a funeral in Busan, leading to a brawl, continuing the cycle of retaliatory crimes.

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