Police to Intensify Crackdown on International Crime in First Half of Year... "Strict Response to Violent Groups and Drugs"

The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters announced on the 23rd that it will conduct an intensive crackdown on international crimes in the first half of this year until June.

National Police Agency, Criminal Investigation Headquarters. Yonhap News Agency

According to the National Police Agency, the number of foreign residents last year was 2,650,783. The number of illegal residents was 397,522, and the number of foreign suspects was 35,283. The key crackdown areas are organized crimes (such as group violence and violent groups), economic crimes infringing on people's livelihood, and drug-related crimes.

In particular, recent foreigner-related crimes have evolved into forms of illegal businesses such as drug trafficking and distribution of vehicles under stolen identities, with intelligence and organization based on countries and regions. Additionally, crimes involving disputes over interests between forces and groups have occurred, prompting plans for a strong response.

During the crackdown period, if foreign group crimes occur, joint investigation teams composed of metropolitan police agencies and police stations will be formed to actively respond from the early stages of the incident. Furthermore, by securing seizure and confiscation before prosecution, the flow of criminal proceeds into organizational funds will be blocked, and through international cooperation with Interpol, the masterminds will be identified to thoroughly prevent the inflow of overseas criminal organizations into the country.

Meanwhile, the exemption system for notification obligations will be actively promoted to encourage illegal foreign residents who have suffered crime damage to report without fear of forced deportation. The exemption system for notification obligations means that when illegal residents are victims of crimes such as assault, theft, or sexual violence, the police's obligation to notify the Ministry of Justice is waived, thereby protecting foreign victims of crime.

A police official stated, “We will continue to strengthen the cooperation system with related agencies to continuously crack down on crimes involving foreigners and enhance intelligence gathering on crimes, proactively responding to international crimes. We also provide rewards for reporting international crimes and strictly guarantee the identity of informants, so we ask for active cooperation.”