Police Investigation Policy Targeting Suspects and Related Persons
The identity of a driver who, while intoxicated, drove a luxury foreign car and caused the death of his partner riding a motorcycle before fleeing the scene has been revealed. Police investigations found that the suspect is linked to an illegal gambling site.
According to a report by Yonhap News on the 18th, the Criminal Mobile Unit of the Gwangju Police Agency announced that during the investigation of additional crimes committed by Kim Mo (32), the Maserati driver, they partially uncovered his involvement in illegal gambling site crimes.
On the afternoon of the 25th of last month, officials from the National Forensic Service conducted a detailed examination of the Maserati involved in the 'drunk hit-and-run fatal accident' at the Gwangju Seobu Police Station. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The police did not disclose the specific manner in which Kim was involved in the crimes. However, given the nature of cyber gambling crimes, which operate in a cell-like structure with divided roles, it is presumed that Kim was responsible for specific tasks such as money laundering and recruiting bank accounts under false names. The police also believe that Kim’s extended stays abroad, including a long period in Thailand, are closely related to the cyber gambling crimes.
Kim, who had been staying in Thailand for nine months, entered Korea on the 19th of last month, three days before the accident occurred. After the hit-and-run accident, he attempted to flee overseas but was caught by the police. Authorities plan to investigate whether those around Kim, who aided his escape and are subject to criminal punishment, were also involved in the gambling business.
Kim is accused of driving a Maserati under the influence of alcohol at around 3:11 a.m. on the 24th of last month on a road in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, colliding with a motorcycle ahead and fleeing the scene. One motorcycle passenger died and another was seriously injured in the accident.
Immediately after the accident, Kim used burner phones with the help of acquaintances of similar age and fled to Daejeon, Incheon, and Seoul. He eventually booked two plane tickets for overseas escape but hesitated to board due to concerns about a travel ban and was ultimately arrested in Seoul.
Police investigations revealed that the Maserati driven by Kim was a burner vehicle owned by a specific corporation. Subsequently, the police identified about ten other vehicles registered under the same corporation as burner vehicles and booked four people, including the corporate representative, on charges of violating the Automobile Management Act.
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