Where Are Former Sinhaepa Gang Members of Disbanded Sejong City Crime Syndicate Now?

Operating Loan Businesses or Entertainment Establishments,
Active in Election Campaigns for Political Parties
Police Express Concerns Over Gang Regrouping... Closely Monitoring Members’ Activities

Concerns are rising over reports that the Sinhaepa, a violent gang that has been primarily active in the Jochiwon-eup area of Sejong City, is showing signs of regrouping. Sinhaepa, a deeply rooted local criminal organization that has existed since the days when the area belonged to Yeongi-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, before Sejong City was established, was expected to become even more active after the launch of Sejong City. However, with some members being arrested, the organization’s power weakened, and it was believed to have effectively disbanded.

However, as previously imprisoned members have been released one by one, there are now moves to rebuild the organization under a new structure. In reality, physically imposing men believed to be gang members have been seen bowing at 90 degrees in various parts of the city, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. There have even been sightings of such deep bows in some public institutions, further fueling a sense of fear.

According to intelligence agencies, Sinhaepa was formed through the union of several violent gangs and has long been the largest single criminal organization dominating the so-called local underworld. Currently, followers of the group are active in various areas, continuing its legacy.

Notably, some former gang members are reportedly connected to political circles. There are claims that they are active in certain political parties. Some sources say, "They are now living openly, working in election camps for candidates during National Assembly and local elections."

A party official commented, "We do not consider their past as gang members to be important. They are citizens and voters, nothing more and nothing less." The interpretation is that although they once lived as gangsters due to misguided choices, they are now members of the local community.

However, law enforcement authorities have a different perspective. The police note that, having shifted from survival tactics such as assault and intimidation to operating as business-oriented organizations, these former gang members could use legal fronts to expand their influence and potentially regroup. They cited a past incident in which a former Sinhaepa member, referred to as Mr. A, forced another former member, Mr. B, to rejoin and help expand the organization, resulting in a stabbing incident.

At the time, when Mr. B refused to rejoin, Mr. A was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison for cutting off Mr. B’s finger with a weapon used in a Japanese restaurant. Another member was also arrested in connection with a drug case. The police believe that such actions by former gang members indicate that they could exploit social instability at any time to rebuild the organization.

Amid these developments, Noh Seho was appointed as the chief of police for the northern region of Sejong City in March this year. With over 20 years of experience in investigations and criminal affairs, he is recognized as a veteran detective and leader within the Chungcheong region police force.

A graduate of the Korean National Police University, Noh Seho served as head of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit and chief of the Violent Crimes Division at the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency in his late 30s and early 40s, handling investigations into violent and white-collar crimes, including those involving criminal organizations in the Chungcheong area. He was promoted to chief superintendent-a position often referred to as the "flower of the police"-in his mid-40s, and continued to lead major criminal investigations before taking his current post as head of the Northern Police Station.

Upon his appointment, Chief Superintendent Noh Seho declared his intention to restore public order and create a safe community for residents. This has been interpreted as a message that the police are ready to launch crackdown operations at any time. The police are closely monitoring former gang members who are now active in various sectors of society to detect any unusual activities that may indicate efforts to rebuild the organization.