Major Crime Ring Busted

Police have rounded up a large-scale criminal organization operating in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

A special investigation team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency arrested Kim (50), boss of “Cheonghawisaeng-pa,” and its 16 members for racketeering and assault.

Other 20 members, including assistant head Yang (41), are wanted by the police. Meanwhile, 24 members including ring advisor Kim (53) were arrested without detention.

According to the police, Kim opened a company supplying sanitary wet tissue to brothels in 1984 and set up Cheonghawisaeng-pa, an organized crime ring, in 1987.

Kim and his underlings are charged with extorting 300 million won from a construction company preparing to redevelop near Pyeongtaek Station last June. They approached officials of the company saying they would acquire the land on behalf of the company. They are also charged with destroying 60 game machines in an adult-only Internet room which was owned by rival gang “World Cup” last March.

To gain control over entertainment districts, the crime organization engaged in a gang fight in July 2006 with “Jeongukgu-pa” in downtown Pyeongtaek. It also attempted to murder two rival gang members in 2003, according to police.

Kim reportedly formulated a code of conduct that stipulates: “Do the bidding of seniors and avenge betrayers” and trained his underlings in accordance with it. In fact, he brutally assaulted one of them for not following his order in August 2005.

In addition, in an attempt to enlarge the organization, Kim lured troubled-teenagers belonging to school gangs in Pyeongtaek areas and trained them in a boarding school facility.

Cheonghawisaeng-pa is the largest organized crime ring in Korea. Its 76 members are on a police list,” said an official of the police agency.

sukim@donga.com