The police have booked an additional associate of the Prince Group, who has been identified as being behind crimes such as the kidnapping and confinement of Koreans in Cambodia, bringing the total number of suspects under investigation to four.
On the 15th, Park Jeongbo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a regular press briefing, "The task force (TF) dedicated to investigating the kidnapping, confinement, and disappearance of Koreans in Cambodia has booked three associates of the Prince Group and questioned them, and has now booked one more. We have moved from a preliminary investigation to a formal booking and are currently conducting a full investigation."
He added, "While investigating 36 cases involving the confinement and fraud of Koreans in Cambodia, we have apprehended 40 individuals, including bank account recruiters and overseas lurers, of whom 20 have been detained. Regarding comments used to lure victims abroad, we have requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to delete 270 posts and sent official requests to 67 internet sites, asking them to voluntarily delete or block related content."
The Prince Group has recently been identified as being behind crimes targeting Koreans in Cambodia. The police have formed a task force of 44 members within the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Metropolitan Investigation Unit to investigate cases involving missing, kidnapped, or confined overseas Koreans. A dedicated team within the task force is specifically focused on matters related to the Prince Group.
Meanwhile, the police are investigating a total of six complaints and accusations related to alleged abuse of power and illegal medical practices by broadcaster Park Narae. The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul is investigating one case in which Park Narae’s side accused her former manager and others of attempted extortion, while the Gangnam Police Station is investigating five cases in which the former manager and others accused Park Narae of special assault and violations of the Medical Service Act. It is reported that the complainants and accusers have not yet been questioned.
In the case involving sexual harassment allegations against Jang Kyungtae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, the police are currently coordinating the schedule for interviewing secretaries who were present at the drinking party. The Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency received a complaint at the end of last year, alleging that Jang committed sexual harassment at a gathering in Yeouido and is currently investigating. Jang has filed a counter-complaint against the accuser for false accusation and other charges.
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