Yangsan: Police have referred nine individuals to the prosecution on suspicion of intimidating and extorting money from foreign nationals operating unregistered motorcycles in the southeastern cities of Yangsan and Gimhae, local authorities said Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Yangsan Police Station reported that two suspects in their 20s allegedly extorted about 2 million won (US$1,450) from foreign riders on 24 occasions between June and July. They threatened to report these individuals to the police, and in instances where the victims claimed they had no money, the suspects followed through on their threats.
The suspects reportedly targeted these foreigners, banking on the fact that the victims were unlikely to report the extortion due to fears of exposing their undocumented status or the operation of their unregistered motorcycles.
In a similar case, seven teenagers from Gimhae were also referred to the prosecution. These individuals are suspected of intimidating foreign motorcyclists without license plates by actions such as kicking their vehicles during the months of September 2025 and June 2026, according to the Gimhae Seobu Police Station.
Police have clarified that no money was actually taken from the victims in the Gimhae incidents as they either fled in fear or struggled to comprehend the teenagers due to language barriers.
A police official emphasized a firm stance against such crimes, stating, "We will strictly crack down on crimes that exploit the vulnerable status of foreign nationals."
Source: Yonhap News Agency