Korean Interpol fugitive falls

Immigration officers arrested a 52-year-old South Korean national at Manila’s main airport for allegedly running a large-scale illegal online gambling syndicate out of the Philippines, officials said Thursday.

The suspect, identified as Cho Yungeon — who also operated under the alias Cho Min — was intercepted Tuesday at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City.

Rendel Ryan Sy, chief of the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit, said the operation was conducted following intelligence supplied by South Korean authorities requesting help to track down the fugitive.

Cho is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Busan District Court for allegedly operating an unauthorized online sports betting and casino platform based in Makati City starting in January 2024.