Opposition Leading Politician Threatened and Extorted... Prosecutors Arrest and Indict Man in His 70s

Charges Including Attempted Extortion Applied

A man in his 70s who attempted to extort money by threatening a prominent opposition politician has been indicted while in custody.

On the 1st, the Criminal Division 4 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Nam Su-yeon) announced that Mr. A was indicted on charges including attempted extortion while in custody.

Mr. A is accused of using violence against Mr. B and sending text messages that damaged his reputation 30 times from August last year to May this year in an attempt to extort money.

It was investigated that Mr. A claimed to have spent tens of millions of won for the victim about 10 years ago and demanded repayment, but when this was refused, he committed these acts.

The prosecution judged that Mr. A poses a high risk of reoffending as he has a past record of being investigated for threatening Mr. B.

A prosecution official said, "We will do our best to maintain the prosecution so that punishment corresponding to the crime is carried out, and we will respond strictly to violent crimes that threaten the body and property of the public."