President Lee: "We will pursue crimes against overseas citizens to the end... and hold them accountable"

Newsis [Financial News] Following the arrest of the main culprit who kidnapped and murdered the late Korean resident Ji Ik-ju in the Philippines, President Lee Jae-myung stated that he would relentlessly pursue crimes targeting Korean citizens overseas and hold those responsible accountable. According to the Blue House on the 10th, President Lee wrote on Facebook on the 9th (local time), "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the most fundamental duty of the state," adding, "We will relentlessly pursue crimes targeting our citizens anywhere in the world and hold them accountable accordingly.
" President Lee said, "The main culprit who kidnapped and murdered the late Korean resident Ji Ik-ju in the Philippines has finally been apprehended," and added, "I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, who have earnestly hoped for the truth of the incident to be revealed amidst over 10 years of pain and waiting. " President Lee continued, "During my visit to the Philippines last March, the bereaved family members personally requested progress in the investigation, and voices within the local Korean community also called for the resolution of the case.
" "It was high," he said, adding, "Although it is late, I am relieved to be able to share the news that the culprit has been apprehended. " President Lee emphasized that this arrest was made possible through the cooperation of the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, the Korean Desk, and the Philippine police authorities.
President Lee stated, "I express my gratitude to all those involved who have worked hard for a long time to resolve this case. " Earlier, President Lee also announced via X (formerly Twitter), "Thank you to the police, the National Intelligence Service, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your hard work.
I also thank the Philippine authorities for their efforts," adding, "After several months of tracking, we have finally arrested the former local police officer who murdered our citizen. " According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other sources, the Philippine police arrested Rafael Dumlao III, a former Philippine police officer and one of the main perpetrators of the kidnapping and murder of Mr.
Ji, in Manila. An arrest warrant for Dumlao was issued in September 2024, but he fled just before the warrant was issued; he was apprehended approximately one year and nine months later following cooperation between the Korean Embassy, ​​the Korean Desk, and Philippine authorities.
Mr. Ji was kidnapped and murdered in the Korean town of Angeles, Philippines, in October 2016.
The case caused a significant stir in Philippine society at the time as it was revealed that local police were involved in the crime. Two accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial in 2023, but Dumlao was acquitted and released.
Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued again for Dumlao, but he fled. During his state visit to the Philippines last March, President Lee mentioned Mr.
Ji's case to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
and requested his prompt arrest.
west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter