Police Launch Investigation into High School Students Who Extorted Millions of Won from Classmate

Complaint Filed for Extortion Charges
"Pay the Settlement for the Bicycle"... Endured Assault and Threats Since Middle School

Police have launched an investigation into a group of high school students in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, who allegedly assaulted classmates since their middle school years and, after entering high school, extorted several million won in cash.

The Nonsan Police Station announced on the 13th that a complaint had been filed against four students currently attending Nonsan A High School on charges of extortion, and that an investigation has begun.

The students are accused of receiving a total of 2.1 million won in cash from the victim, referred to as Student A, on dozens of occasions between May and June 11.

Student A stated, "Around April, I agreed to purchase one of the perpetrator's bicycles for 250,000 won and transferred the agreed amount. However, two other students later appeared and claimed, 'That bicycle is actually worth 800,000 won,' insisting that the 250,000 won was not for the bicycle but was a settlement payment, and demanded additional money."

Furthermore, it was reported that one of the perpetrators unilaterally demanded that Student A transfer money, claiming that Student A had to repay a debt owed by another student.

Student A appealed that he had been subjected to continuous assault by these students since middle school and, out of fear, felt compelled to transfer the cash.

It was reported that the four perpetrators had known each other as seniors and juniors since their middle school days.

This situation came to light when Student A's parents recently discovered that about 100 bills in denominations of 10,000 won and 50,000 won had gone missing from a piggy bank at home. When they questioned Student A, he confessed and revealed the details of the abuse.

A police official stated, "A complaint has been filed against the high school students, and we have launched an investigation," adding, "As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot disclose further details at this time."