Korean fugitive now behind bars

A South Korean national wanted for fraud in his home country was arrested Tuesday in Malate, Manila, by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (NBI-OTCD) in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration-Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU).

The suspect was identified as Kim Yooshil, also known as Kim Yooshik and according to records from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Kim is an undesirable and overstaying alien, posing a risk to public safety and security due to his fugitive status.

This was confirmed by an official communication from Consul Yun Wonchang of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea dated 17 April 2023.

An Interpol Blue Notice had been issued for Kim, indicating an active arrest warrant for fraud under Article 347-(1) of the Criminal Act of Korea. He is accused of defrauding a victim of more than 10,000,000 Korean Won in an investment scam on 14 October 2008.

Further verification with the BI database revealed Kim has active derogatory records, including a Blacklist Order dated 22 June 2023, and a Watchlist Order issued 5 April 2023, both for undesirability as a fugitive from justice.

Additionally, a check of criminal records in the NBI’s database showed Kim has an outstanding warrant for estafa in the Philippines. He has also previously faced charges for falsification of public documents, malicious mischief, grave threat, damage to property and human trafficking.

Kim is currently being held at the NBI-OTCD office for investigation and standard booking and arrest procedures before being turned over to the custody of the BI-FSU.