Korean kidnap mafia busted; NBI arrests 2

Police arrested two of eight Koreans who allegedly abducted a 25-year-old fellow Korean in Makati City.

In a press conference at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Southern Police District director Senior Superintendent Manuel Cabigon said the suspects identified as Kang Suk Dong and Baek Joon Ho are members of the dreaded Korean Mafia engaged in kidnap for ransom activities.

A third suspect, Kim Keun Jun, eluded arrest.

Investigators said the Korean Mafia is believed to be engaged in the abduction of fellow Koreans in Metro Manila, while their counterparts demand ransom from the victims’ families in their home country.

"The victims’ families are threatened and notified in South Korea, where they negotiate the ransom payments. The syndicate’s counterparts (in Korea) also take the ransom there," Cabigon said.

Park’s abduction is the second kidnap case committed by Kang’s group this year, police said.

Park was abducted by Kang’s group last Friday afternoon while undergoing treatment at the Han Medical Clinic located at the LPL Building, Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.

When presented to members of the media, the victim, Park Jung Hwan, a native of Kyong-ju District, South Korea, showed paddle marks and contusions in different parts of the body.

Police noted the concentration of paddle marks on the victims thighs and legs.

Makati policemen led by Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez arrested Kang and Baek during a raid last Monday night at the Hai-Dong Gungdo Sword Sports Gym located along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City.

Kang is the chairman-grandmaster of the Hai-Dong Gungdo Sword Sports Gym.

When questioned by police investigators, the two suspects said they took Park from the clinic as part of their "responsibility to look after him." They said that Park was left to their custody by his father who is not in the country.

Kang and Baek claimed that Park’s "inherent stubbornness" was the reason for the "disciplinary measures" inflicted on him.

In his report, Cabigon said Park was forcibly taken from the clinic and shoved inside a gray Starex van with license plate WNT-203. Another gray Starex van (WHB-951) served as a back-up vehicle.

Park’s attending physician, William Han, informed police probers about the incident. Han said Park was confined at the clinic while being treated for head, led and arm injuries.

Han reported that Park brought himself to the clinic last Friday at around 5 p.m. after he was reportedly beaten up by fellow Koreans.

Park explained in broken English that he is in country to take graduate studies. At present, Park is studying English to help facilitate his enrollment in a university.