Revival of Axes and Steel Pipes... Rebuilding 'Shin Nambudongpa' by Gathering School Bullies

[Financial News] A group that was engaged in activities to rebuild a past violent organization in the Gangseo area of Seoul has been apprehended by the police.
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Violent Crime Investigation Unit announced on the 14th that they have arrested and sent to prosecution 9 people, including Deputy Leader A (45), on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts, and have sent 25 members without detention. Five people who are on the run have been placed on the wanted list, and two people staying abroad have had their passports invalidated and an Interpol Red Notice issued.
According to the police, they attempted to rebuild the 'Shin Nambudongpa', which was disbanded in 2003, by recruiting new members in their 10s, 20s, and 30s based in the Gangseo area. They maintained typical violent organization operations such as enforcing compliance with a code of conduct for teenagers, operating an emergency contact network, and assaulting those who disobeyed or defected. They habitually extorted 'protection fees' from room salon owners and did not hesitate to demonstrate power or disrupt business by intruding into shareholder meetings or business premises upon request. They possessed numerous weapons such as axes, sashimi knives, and steel pipes, and there were cases where victims were assaulted with steel pipes over debt issues.
They collected membership fees from members to raise about 240 million won in operating funds. The funds were used for paying legal fees for members in prison, deposits, and recruiting new members using prison connections.
A, who led the reconstruction, joined the organization in his 20s in 2007 and was promoted to deputy leader through recruitment activities. New members had to undergo 'etiquette training' for three months, including using the term 'hyung-nim', prison etiquette, and letter writing methods.
Among the 34 members, 27 (84%) were in their 20s, and 16 (50%) were new recruits in the past five years. Most were former school bullies or athletes, and the apprehended teenagers were found to have been lured into the organization by the 'hyung-nim culture' and loyalty.
About 10 members voluntarily left to escape violence and exploitation, and it was confirmed that they suffered from fear of retaliation such as assault upon leaving the organization according to the code of conduct.
Detective Team Leader Choi Jae-ho said, "It has been revealed that the aging existing violent organizations are attempting to rebuild and expand 'traditional organized crime' by absorbing young forces," and "We will strengthen investigations by continuously collecting intelligence on violent organizations in the region, focusing on a dedicated investigation team in cooperation with the prosecution."

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter