Three Koreans Killed in the Philippines
Also Accused of Large-Scale Drug Trafficking
"Do I Have Evidence of Selling Drugs?"
Park Wang-yeol (45), known as one of the so-called 'Top 3 Korean Drug Lords in Southeast Asia' who allegedly distributed drugs on a large scale in South Korea, is expected to spark controversy after reportedly threatening to kill reporters who covered stories related to him.
According to a JTBC report on the 3rd, Park Wang-yeol attempted a KakaoTalk voice call to JTBC reporters immediately after his interview was made public. When he could not reach them, he reportedly threatened, "I will kill the producer in charge."
In response, JTBC reported the matter to the police and requested personal protection.
Park Wang-yeol, suspected of murder and large-scale drug distribution [Image source=JTBC broadcast capture]
Park Wang-yeol was prosecuted in the Philippines in October 2016 for killing three Koreans in a sugarcane field. At that time, the local Supreme Court sentenced him to a short-term imprisonment of 57 years and 4 months and a long-term imprisonment of 60 years.
Currently, Park Wang-yeol is incarcerated at New Bilibid Prison in the Philippines. He is known as a drug dealer who has continued to distribute drugs to South Korea even after being imprisoned.
It is also reported that Park Wang-yeol became a 'prison VIP' through the income earned from drug trafficking. He is said to have purchased a private room, played tennis, and used a mobile phone freely.
Earlier, JTBC attempted an interview with him in prison on the 1st. At that time, Park Wang-yeol claimed, "If I speak out, many prosecutors in Korea will be exposed," and added, "With just one phone call from Korea, I know exactly where the drugs will enter and exit the day after tomorrow. I know the distribution structure because I have run the business."
He also said, "I cannot go to Korea because there is no evidence," and "Is there any evidence that I sold drugs? Even logically, there is no proof that the drugs sold belong to me."
He repeatedly insisted, "If I speak, everything will be overturned."
Drug offenders sentenced to imprisonment in the Philippines can only undergo forced repatriation procedures to South Korea after completing their local sentences. Because of this, despite the charges against Park Wang-yeol, related investigations in South Korea are reportedly facing delays.
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