"Fighting on the Street" Report Leads to Dispatch and Capture of A-Grade Wanted Criminal

Charged with Sexual Assault Against Disabled Person... Disappeared Without Attending Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A wanted fugitive who was indicted on charges of sexual harassment but did not appear in court and went into hiding was caught by the police in an unexpected place.

On the 27th, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul announced that they had arrested Mr. Seo, in his late 50s, who is accused of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (forcible molestation of a disabled person).

At around 8:40 p.m. on the 23rd, the police responded to a 112 report stating, "Two men are fighting on the street in Yeongdeungpo-gu." Upon arrival at the scene, the officers began verifying the identities of those involved in the altercation.

However, Mr. Seo firmly refused to reveal his identity, saying, "What crime have I committed?" but eventually gave his name after continued questioning by the police.

During this process, it was confirmed that Mr. Seo was an 'A-level wanted fugitive.' An A-level wanted fugitive is someone for whom an arrest or detention warrant has been issued but who has disappeared; such individuals can be arrested immediately upon discovery.

Mr. Seo was indicted for forcible molestation of a disabled person but did not appear at the trial, resulting in the issuance of an arrest warrant. The police explained that they handed Mr. Seo over to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on the 24th.