Arrested for Gambling and Special Assault Charges
A group involved in illegal Yutnori gambling at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market in Jeju was apprehended this past June, and the police have now released footage of the incident.
On August 21, the Korean National Police Agency released a video titled "Gambling Scene Raid - Assault Over Giving Advice..." on its official YouTube channel. The footage shows police apprehending a group engaged in gambling at a park inside Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market on June 17.
A man is threatening people with a wooden stick while shirtless after a dispute broke out at a Yutnori gambling game. Captured from the YouTube channel 'Korean National Police Agency'
The video shows the group gambling in the park in broad daylight. Among the men throwing Yut sticks, one person is seated, moving the pieces on the Yutnori board, while spectators are gathered around them. The participants exchanged bundles of cash depending on the outcome of the game. Suddenly, a physical altercation broke out. The dispute, which began after someone lost money, escalated into violence. One man left the scene, then returned shirtless and wielding a wooden stick, threatening others. Covered in tattoos on his arms and legs, this man even struck another man on the head with the stick.
Arrested on Charges of Gambling and Special Assault
The police, who had been waiting at the scene and filming the gambling for evidence, immediately moved in to make arrests as the situation escalated. Some suspects put up fierce resistance during the process. On that day, Seogwipo Police Station apprehended seven individuals, including Mr. A (age 70), on gambling charges, and two individuals, including Mr. B (age 60), on charges of special assault. At the time of arrest, they were gambling with a pot totaling 3.58 million won. Mr. B and another individual are accused of threatening and assaulting Mr. C with a weapon on August 8 at the same location, allegedly because Mr. C gave advice during a Yutnori gambling game. The police booked the seven, including Mr. A, without detention and detained the two, including Mr. B, for further investigation.
Money bundles are being exchanged at a Yutnori gambling table. Screenshot from the YouTube channel 'Korea National Police Agency'
A police official stated, "Over the past year, there have been about 100 reports to 112 regarding gambling at the Maeil Olle Market park," and added, "We are working with the city government, autonomous police, and other relevant agencies to promote environmental improvement projects."
Viewers who watched the video commented, "Yutnori should just be played for fun," "How can they gamble openly in public without shame?" "It must not have been easy to gather evidence and make arrests-good work," "Thank you for your efforts in the hot weather," "Please crack down on similar activities in our area," and "Korean police are the best."
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