Busan Gangs Inspired by 'Friend' Prosecuted for Retaliatory Attacks

-


Gang Violence in Busan Escalates, Leading to Major Arrests

A long-standing feud between two of Busan’s most notorious violent gangs, the Chilseong-pa and the Shin 20-segi-pa, has escalated into a series of retaliatory attacks that have resulted in the arrest of dozens of gang members. This conflict, which inspired the popular movie Friend, has now led to significant legal action by local authorities.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Unit announced on the 10th that they had arrested and referred 19 individuals, including key leaders from both gangs, for violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts, specifically related to organization-related activities. Additionally, 26 new members were not arrested but have been added to the investigation list.

These suspects are accused of carrying out repeated acts of retaliation between November 2024 and August of this year. The violence began on November 7 of last year when members of the Chilseong-pa assaulted a member of the Shin 20-segi-pa at a karaoke room in Busanjin-gu. The victim, who had reportedly switched allegiance from the Chilseong-pa to the Shin 20-segi-pa, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and required four weeks of medical treatment.

In response, the Shin 20-segi-pa members launched a series of threats against Chilseong-pa members using blades on three separate occasions from November 29 of the same year to February 19 of this year. These incidents led to indiscriminate group assaults, resulting in injuries that required eight weeks of recovery time for the victims.

Tensions continued to rise as a man in his 20s affiliated with the Chilseong-pa spent four hours hiding near a Shin 20-segi-pa member’s apartment before attacking them with a blade on April 6 of this year. This act immediately triggered further retaliation from the Shin 20-segi-pa.

In response, the Shin 20-segi-pa summoned 17 members, armed them with blades, and divided them into multiple vehicles to locate and attack Chilseong-pa members. One victim sustained fractures requiring six weeks of treatment, while another suffered nerve damage after being stabbed in the face with a broken soju bottle.

All these violent incidents took place in central Busan over the past year, raising concerns about public safety and regional stability.

Ongoing Conflict Between Gangs Has Lasted Decades

Police have added the newly identified 20- and 30-something gang members to their monitoring list, indicating a growing concern over the expansion of these criminal organizations. A police source stated, “We will strictly address not only the perpetrators but also those who conspired or directed violent crimes that undermine regional stability and threaten citizens’ daily lives.”

The ongoing "war" between the Chilseong-pa and Shin 20-segi-pa has persisted for over 30 years. In 1993, the Chilseong-pa carried out a terrorist attack on a Shin 20-segi-pa action team leader in Boso-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, in an attempt to curb their expanding influence. This incident became the basis for the movie Friend, highlighting the real-life impact of gang violence in the region.

Key Events in the Gang Conflict

  • November 7, 2024: Chilseong-pa members assault a Shin 20-segi-pa member at a karaoke room, leading to a cerebral hemorrhage and four weeks of treatment.
  • November 29 – February 19, 2025: Shin 20-segi-pa members launch three separate attacks using blades, resulting in injuries requiring eight weeks of treatment.
  • April 6, 2025: A Chilseong-pa member attacks a Shin 20-segi-pa member with a blade, triggering further retaliation.
  • Shin 20-segi-pa Response: The gang summons 17 members, arms them, and conducts indiscriminate assaults, causing serious injuries.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: New members in their 20s and 30s are added to the police’s surveillance list.

This case underscores the deep-rooted nature of gang conflicts in Busan and the need for continued law enforcement efforts to restore peace and prevent further violence.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Japan Firms Leverage Satellites and AI to Locate Abandoned Homes for Sale

-
Image
The Rise of AI-Powered Real Estate Discovery in Japan In Tokyo, a growing number of Japanese companies are leveraging satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to identify abandoned houses that could be repurposed or sold. This innovative approach is becoming increasingly vital as the country faces a rising number of deserted properties due to its aging population. Where Inc., a startup, offers a service that uses AI trained on tens of thousands of images to detect signs of aging roofs, such as rust and discoloration. These findings are then overlaid on satellite maps, helping users spot properties that may have been left unattended. One of Where Inc.'s users, Kotaro Yasue, recently discovered a two-story wooden house through this service. He was able to contact the owner via a real estate registry. It turned out that the house had been neglected for over a decade, and the owner was unsure how to proceed with its disposal. Yasue, who runs a house rental service company in G...
Read more

GEN Nigeria and Others Target Indigenous Firms with New Tech Fees

-
Image
Empowering Nigerian Entrepreneurs with AI Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Nigeria), in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc and other organizations, has called on young entrepreneurs in Nigeria to embrace new technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in their business operations. This initiative was highlighted during the Youth Entrepreneurship Dialogue, titled “Building the Future with AI: Technology, Talent, and Transformation Entrepreneurship,” which took place at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Lagos. Dr. Olawale Anifowose, the Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, emphasized that AI has become essential for local enterprises in Nigeria to boost productivity, drive innovation, and enhance competitiveness. According to Anifowose, this can be achieved by automating tasks, personalizing customer experiences through data analysis, and enabling entrepreneurs to develop and scale new products and services more efficiently. Enhancing Efficiency and Produc...
Read more

I Was Healthy Until a Dirty Habit Stopped My Heart

-
Image
A Rare Case of Cannabis-Induced Cardiac Arrest in a Young, Healthy Woman A 26-year-old woman from Georgia experienced a life-threatening cardiac arrest after smoking marijuana. The incident occurred when her fiancé discovered her unconscious on the bathroom floor, prompting immediate emergency medical intervention. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors confirmed that she had suffered a cardiac arrest, where the heart suddenly stopped beating. The woman had no known pre-existing health conditions and tested negative for heart-related issues such as arrhythmia. However, she was found to have high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the "high" sensation. Doctors diagnosed her with ventricular fibrillation, a severe heart rhythm disorder that prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. This led to what they described as a "cannabis-induced cardiac arrest." This case has rais...
Read more