A prosecutor who gained attention last June by expressing anger toward organized crime groups and warning not to expect leniency is now in the spotlight for handling the hit-and-run Rolls-Royce case that sparked public outrage.
"If connected to organized crime, do not expect leniency"... Also 'in focus' in the Gangnam Rolls-Royce case
Last June, Shin Junho, head of the Violent Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, was seen watching footage related to the Sunoa faction's disturbance incident at the Hyatt Hotel at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, clenching his mouth tightly in anger. [Image - Screenshot from SBS News YouTube Shorts]
The Violent Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho) announced on the 6th that Shin, who caused the hit-and-run accident in a Rolls-Royce, was arrested and indicted on charges including hit-and-run causing injury and dangerous driving causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, as well as failure to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act.
Previously, Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho had indicted 39 members of the Sunoa faction who caused a disturbance at the Hyatt Hotel, and during a briefing on the investigation results last June, he appeared unable to contain his anger toward organized crime, tightly closing his eyes and trembling his lips.
He said, "It was quite disgusting to see them gathering around, boasting about tattoos all over their bodies, claiming to be number one in their districts or stars nationwide," "My exact feeling is a 'deep anger rising from the lower abdomen'," and "From now on, if you are connected to organized crime, do not expect leniency," remarks that resonated with and received support from netizens.
Shin, who is in charge of the Rolls-Royce hit-and-run case, is also suspected of being involved with the so-called 'MZ organized crime group,' known as a 'peer group.' Following a search by the prosecution, bundles of cash exceeding 100 million won were found at Shin's residence, and the prosecution believes this money was earned through multiple illegal businesses, including operating online gambling sites, while Shin was active in an organized crime group mainly composed of people in their 20s and 30s.
Given the allegations that Shin is connected to organized crime, attention is focused on whether a thorough investigation will be conducted in the 'Rolls-Royce case' as Shin has publicly declared.
'1995-born organized crime peer group' travel ban... Will the investigation expand to the entire MZ organized crime?
Shin Mo, known as the 'Apgujeong Rolls-Royce' driver accused of hitting a pedestrian and causing serious injuries while driving under the influence of drugs, was transferred from the Seoul Gangnam Police Station to the Central District Prosecutors' Office on the morning of the 18th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the prosecution, on the 2nd of last month, Shin administered psychotropic drugs such as midazolam and diazepam under the pretense of a procedure at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., then took the wheel. Around 8:10 p.m., he hit a woman in her 20s on a road near Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station in Sinsa-dong with his car and fled the scene without providing aid.
Shin claimed he only briefly left the accident scene to ask the plastic surgery clinic he visited to help the victim, but the prosecution believes he left the scene to coordinate stories with the hospital regarding the drug administration.
The prosecution then searched Shin's residence and analyzed CCTV footage from the accident scene, as well as bank account and call records, uncovering evidence of attempts to manipulate hospital payment records and destruction of mobile phones, indicating evidence tampering.
Additionally, the prosecution has imposed travel bans on about ten members identified as part of the '1995-born organized crime peer group' to which Shin is said to belong, stating, "We plan to investigate the actual structure of the organized crime group and allegations that (Shin) earned illegal profits through online gambling sites comprehensively." Some interpret this as the hit-and-run traffic accident investigation expanding to cover the broader MZ organized crime groups in their 20s and 30s.
Meanwhile, the woman in her 20s who was hit by the Rolls-Royce driven by Shin is reported to have suffered severe injuries to her head and legs and remains in a brain-dead state.
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