South Korean fugitives hooked by BI

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday reported that its operatives arrested two more South Korean fugitives who were wanted by Seoul authorities and Interpol for their involvement in robbery and illegal gambling.

According to BI commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado, the two fugitives were arrested in recent operations conducted by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) in the cities of Cebu and Parañaque.

Viado said that both Koreans, who are subjects of red notices from Interpol, were apprehended due to the request of the South Korean government, which asked the BI’s assistance in locating and deporting those fugitives.

He added that their names will be added to the BI blacklist and they will be banned from reentering the country.

Reports said that BI operatives arrested the first fugitive in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City, who was identified as Sim Sooryong and was charged by the Changwon district court last 26 November 2024, for conspiring with an accomplice to rob a victim after assaulting him with an axe on the back of his head and other parts of his body.

The suspects allegedly used duct tape to hold their victim while threatening and coercing them into transferring 25 million won into their bank account.

Meanwhile, the second fugitive was arrested along Dr. A. Santos Avenue, San Dionisio, Parañaque City, who was identified as Kim Kwanghyun, who is also wanted in South Korea for creating illegal online gambling sites.

He was accused of violating Korea’s national sports promotion statute, and on 18 March 2016, the Gwangju District Court issued an arrest order against him.

Kim was charged by the South Korean government for running multiple online gambling sites since 2015, allegedly earning over 16 billion won from the sale of sports betting tickets.

The inquiry also revealed that both Koreans are already overstaying. Sim’s last arrival in the country was on 3 February 2019, while Kim arrived on 28 January 2018.

After being arrested, both Korean fugitives were detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, until they were deported.