The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended two South Korean fugitives wanted by Seoul authorities and Interpol for their involvement in robbery and illegal gambling, BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado announced on Monday.

The fugitives, identified as Sim Sooryong, 38, and Kim Kwanghyun, 40, were captured in separate operations conducted by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) in Cebu City and Parañaque City following a request from the South Korean government for assistance in locating and deporting them.

According to Viado, both individuals are subjects of Interpol red notices and will be added to the BI’s blacklist, permanently barring them from re-entering the Philippines.

Authorities arrested Sim in Brgy. Talamban, Cebu City. He is wanted in South Korea for his alleged involvement in an assault and robbery case. According to South Korean court records, Sim and an accomplice attacked their victim with an axe, duct-taped him, and forced him to transfer 25 million won to their bank account. He was charged by the Changwon District Court on 26 November 2024.

Meanwhile, Kim was arrested along Dr. A. Santos Avenue, San Dionisio, Parañaque City. He is accused of operating multiple illegal gambling websites and was charged under South Korea’s national sports promotion statute. The Gwangju District Court issued an arrest warrant against him on 18 March 2016. Authorities say Kim allegedly earned over 16 billion won from online gambling operations since 2015.

Investigations also revealed that both fugitives had been overstaying in the country. Sim last entered the Philippines on 3 February 2019, while Kim arrived on 28 January 2018.

Following their arrest, both fugitives were transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where they will remain until their deportation.