Rival Gangs Engage in Repeated Retaliatory Assaults Since Late Last Year
Court: "Cycle of Retaliation Must End" ? Two Members Sentenced to Prison
On November 2, Yonhap News reported that two members of major criminal organizations in the Busan area were sentenced to prison by the court, following a series of retaliatory violent incidents between the two groups.
Retaliatory violence between two major criminal organizations in the Busan area has occurred consecutively, resulting in two members of the related organizations being sentenced to prison by the court (photo is for illustrative purposes and unrelated to the article content).
On the same day, Judge Jeong Sunyeol of the Busan District Court Criminal Division 11 announced that he had sentenced two men in their 20s, identified as A and B, members of the Sin 20segi-pa, to two years and two years and two months in prison, respectively.
According to the court ruling, on April 7 at approximately 2:07 a.m., A encountered C, a member of the rival Chilsung-pa, by chance on a street in Suyeong District, Busan. The two allegedly brandished weapons and confronted each other in a threatening manner. Subsequently, B, along with other associates, pursued C and inflicted serious injuries by repeatedly striking his face and torso and kicking him. The victim suffered multiple fractured ribs.
Additionally, both A and B were charged with carrying a 32-centimeter weapon in the inner pocket of their jackets at a funeral home in Buk District, Busan, on April 22, in preparation for possible retaliation from the Chilsung-pa, together with their gang leader.
This incident stemmed from a preemptive assault by the Chilsung-pa that occurred on November 7 of the previous year. At that time, a Chilsung-pa member assaulted D, a member of Sin 20segi-pa, at a karaoke bar in Busanjin District, causing cerebral hemorrhage and deepening hostilities between the two organizations. Tensions escalated further on April 6 of this year when a Chilsung-pa member attacked the residence of a Sin 20segi-pa member and stabbed him multiple times with a weapon.
During the trial, A and B argued that the altercation was a spontaneous dispute and denied being members of a criminal organization. However, the court rejected their claims, citing mobile phone messages as evidence. The messages included statements such as "The big brother said to pack up because he's sending money for hiding," and "We are fighting back for the reputation of our family," indicating deep involvement in organized crime activities.
Explaining the sentencing, Judge Jeong stated, "Strict punishment is necessary to break the cycle of retaliatory violence and prevent repeat offenses," adding, "Considering the motive, method, and degree of harm, the nature of the crime is extremely serious."
The Chilsung-pa and Sin 20segi-pa have maintained a long-standing rivalry, expanding their influence in Busan's nightlife and arcade scene since the 1970s. In 1993, an incident in which a Chilsung-pa executive ordered the murder of a Sin 20segi-pa member became the basis for the film "Friend." Although the organizations' power has waned in recent years, conflicts persist, as evidenced by group violence and funeral home brawls in 2006 and 2021.
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