Key facts
- South Korean police will launch a nationwide crackdown on organized crime and international transgressions.
- The operation will specifically target young gangsters involved in fraud and money laundering.
- It will also focus on drug trafficking, especially synthetic drugs, and crimes committed by foreign nationals.
- The crackdown aims to freeze criminal proceeds and deter criminals from flaunting illicit wealth.
- The initiative comes after a notable rise in organized crime and international offenses in the first half of 2026.
The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced on Sunday that it will launch a nationwide crackdown on organized crime and international transgressions, with a particular focus on young gangsters increasingly involved in fraud and money laundering. The special operations are scheduled to begin on Monday and will continue through October 31.
The KNPA's initiative will target high-yield financial crimes, including organized fraud, illegal private lending, online gambling operations, and money laundering. Authorities also plan to crack down on individuals who flaunt illicit wealth online to instill public fear and will work to freeze criminal proceeds to disrupt funding sources.
On the international front, the crackdown will address drug trafficking, with a specific emphasis on synthetic drugs like ketamine, and organized crimes involving foreign nationals. The KNPA intends to enhance intelligence gathering within foreigner communities, their workplaces, and nightlife districts.
This intensified enforcement comes in response to a marked increase in organized crime and international offenses observed in the first half of the year. Between March 9 and June 30, police apprehended 1,185 gang members and arrested 225, representing a significant rise compared to previous operations. Notably, individuals aged 30 or younger constituted 63.6 percent of apprehended suspects, with fraud being the most common offense at 42.7 percent.
Furthermore, the overall number of foreign nationals booked by police in the first half of the year increased by 9.1 percent year-on-year to 18,130, accompanied by a 29 percent surge in drug-related crimes. The KNPA stated its commitment to continued crackdowns and strengthened intelligence gathering in cooperation with relevant authorities.