40s Wealthy Individual Kidnapped in Downtown Seoul, Beaten and Robbed of Valuables After 10 Hours of Captivity

Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch Sentences Main Perpetrator to 4 Years in Prison
Pretended to Be a Substitute Driver and Turned into a Robber After Boarding Vehicle

A group who kidnapped a man in his 40s, a wealthy individual, in downtown Seoul, drove him around for 10 hours while assaulting him and stealing his valuables, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch (Presiding Judge Heo Yong-gu) sentenced three defendants including Mr. A, who were indicted on charges of robbery and injury, to four years in prison, and sentenced two others including Mr. B to three years and six months in prison, according to a report by Yonhap News on the 20th. The court also sentenced two accomplices who were indicted without detention on charges of recruiting participants for the crime (aiding and abetting by intimidation) to one year in prison with a two-year probation, and fined one person 15 million won for facilitating the sale of stolen watches on charges of dealing in stolen goods.

Mr. A and others are accused of forcibly confining and assaulting Mr. C, a wealthy man in his 40s, in a car on a street in Songpa-gu, Seoul, around 1 a.m. on March 20. Mr. A had met Mr. C through an introduction from an acquaintance in the past. Having planned the crime in advance, Mr. A had a drinking session with Mr. C on the day of the crime. Afterwards, he told Mr. C, "I will call a designated driver for you," and then contacted accomplices who were waiting in advance. Posing as a designated driver, Mr. A and his group soon turned into robbers, tying Mr. C’s hands and covering his face before assaulting him, according to the investigation.

The group moved from Songpa-gu, Seoul, to Dochon-dong, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, in Mr. C’s car, confining him inside the vehicle for about 10 hours. During this time, Mr. A and others took some cash from Mr. C’s bag and a watch worth about 90 million won. Mr. C took advantage of a moment when the bindings on his hands loosened, opened the car door, jumped onto the road, and asked passersby to call 112. He was later rescued by responding police officers but reportedly suffered serious injuries requiring about 10 weeks of treatment.

Investigations revealed that Mr. A planned the crime after learning that the victim, Mr. C, whom he knew personally, possessed significant wealth, while Mr. A’s own company was facing financial difficulties. Furthermore, Mr. A and his group had attempted to commit the crime against Mr. C several days earlier but failed when the victim left early due to other appointments, and they arranged another meeting to try again.

The first trial court pointed out, "Considering the organized and premeditated nature of the crime, the method used, and the extent of the victim’s harm, the crime is serious and the defendants bear heavy responsibility." The court added, "The victim’s injuries are severe, and the victim has petitioned for strict punishment of the defendants," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.