"What an Embarrassment in Japan"... South Korean Man's Suspicious Activities Unveiled 10,000 Times

Sold a Total of 11,334 Stolen Books and Media Items

Valued at Approximately 54.54 Million Won

A South Korean man has been apprehended by police in Tokyo, Japan, on suspicion of stealing books from a bookstore.

According to a recent report by the Mainichi Shimbun, the Honjo Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 49-year-old South Korean man, surnamed Cho, on theft charges on May 7.

Cho is suspected of stealing 15 books worth 34,100 yen (approximately 320,000 won) from a bookstore in Nakano Ward, Tokyo, between 8:35 p.m. and 9 p.m. on August 8 last year.

During police questioning, Cho reportedly stated, “I do not remember.”

According to the Honjo Police, Cho was previously arrested on March 29 this year on charges of stealing discs and books from a store in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, and was subsequently indicted for theft.

Police said that an investigation of transaction records with purchasing companies revealed Cho had sold a total of 11,334 items—including books and Blu-ray discs—worth 5,829,215 yen (approximately 5,454,000 won) over the past seven years, from 2019 through March of this year. Most of the items sold were identified as books.

Japanese police are continuing their investigation, suspecting that Cho has repeatedly committed theft over several years and resold the stolen goods.