Man Sentenced for Threatening 'Quarantine Violation Report' to Extort Drinks and Meals from Nightclub

An intoxicated person who threatened to kill Assemblyman Moon Jae-in by calling the police has been apprehended.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man who extorted money for drinks at entertainment bars by threatening to report violations of COVID-19 gathering ban orders to administrative agencies and the police was sentenced to prison.

On the 25th, according to the legal community, Judge Kim Yongchan of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 6 sentenced Son Mo (55), who was tried on charges of extortion, obstruction of business, and threats, to two years in prison.

Son was accused of repeatedly visiting entertainment bars in Jung-gu, Seoul, which were subject to gathering ban orders during the COVID-19 outbreak last year, threatening to "report illegal activities," and receiving alcoholic beverages, side dishes, meals, and karaoke services from the bar operators. He was also charged with assaulting a victim with level 3 intellectual disability and causing disturbances by swearing in convenience stores.

The court pointed out, "He committed crimes repeatedly and there are multiple victims," and added, "He also has a history of several criminal punishments for violent crimes."

Furthermore, the court stated, "Considering that he did not refrain from wrongdoing during the recidivism period for similar crimes and that the defendant has not received forgiveness from the victims, a prison sentence is inevitable."