Roh Pledges to Root Out Organized Crime over 100-Day Period

President Roh Moo-hyun ordered the Prosecution and Police on June 17 to do more to punish crimes within the populace in order to create a society in which people can live and work peacefully. “Recently, the general population is at risk of economic recession as well as crimes committed by organized crime,” he said.

The President made his comments in a cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae with Prime Minister Goh Kun, Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil, Government Administration and Home Affairs Minister Kim Doo-gwan, Prosecutor General Song Gwang-soo, and Police Superintendent Choi Gi-moon, stated a presidential spokesperson.

“Various types of organized crime syndicates are threatening people`s livelihood. They are extorting money from shop owners and street vendors while some loan sharks are trafficking and physically threatening debtors,” Mr. Roh pointed out.

Regarding the latest collective actions by some labor unions and special interest groups, he ordered that the government respond to such moves through dialogue and compromise. He also instructed the proper authorities to punish those who ignore law and order and abuse their power among the general populace.

MOGAHA Minister Kim Doo-gwan said that the police nationwide have started a 100-day crackdown on crimes against humanity such as kidnapping and human trafficking, and other serious crimes such as extortion, burglary and larceny.

He also said that each local police station should operate task forces responsible for kidnapping and create a strong presence in crime-ridden areas around clubs and bars 24 hours a day.

“We will set up a prosecution-police joint investigation team to root out crime by organized crime syndcates for six months starting from June 11,” he pledged.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com