Police to Eradicate Organized Illegal Activities Such as Extortion and Violence at Construction Sites

Special Crackdown from December 8 to June 25 Next Year
Policy to Arrest and Investigate Collective and Repetitive Illegal Offenders

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police will launch a large-scale crackdown on the widespread organized illegal activities at construction sites.

On the 7th, the National Police Agency announced that from the 8th until June 25 next year, it will conduct a "Special Crackdown on Organized Illegal Activities such as Extortion and Violence at Construction Sites" to restore fair hiring practices and support the normalization of construction sites. This measure comes in response to the recent surge in organized illegal activities such as extortion and violence at construction sites, which have caused significant social and economic harm.

The police will focus on cracking down on △ obstruction of work and violent acts demonstrating collective power △ extortion of money and goods through organized violence and threats △ coercion of hiring specific groups or use of construction machinery △ retaliatory acts against whistleblowers.

This special crackdown will elevate the existing police station-centered investigation system for chronic illegal activities such as organized extortion and violence, with the head of the National Police Agency’s Investigation Bureau acting as the task force leader to oversee the crackdown and directly command major cases.

Additionally, the heads of investigation divisions at metropolitan and provincial police agencies plan to conduct thorough and intensive investigations targeting ringleaders and their backers by deploying violent crime investigation units and metropolitan investigation units. At local police stations, upon receiving 112 emergency calls, rapid response teams led by the head of the investigation (criminal) division will take swift action to suppress illegal activities and arrest offenders caught in the act.

In particular, the police have established a policy to conduct investigations with detention for violent acts demonstrating collective power, large-scale extortion under the pretext of management or welfare fees, ringleaders who plan and orchestrate illegal activities behind the scenes, and repeat offenders. Furthermore, in cooperation with related ministries such as the National Assembly Inspection Office, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Fair Trade Commission, administrative measures such as fines and penalties will be promptly enforced for detected illegal activities.

The police urged active reporting and tips through the "Hiring Order Reporting Center (1577-8221)" permanently operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, or via the "112 emergency call."

A police official emphasized, "We will thoroughly track and strictly prosecute retaliatory crimes such as threats against whistleblowers and informants," adding, "We will actively protect victims from retaliatory crimes through safety measures for crime victims so that they can report without fear."