Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
10 face indictment for detaining undocumented foreigners without legal authority
gettyimagesbank
By Jung Min-ho
Ten members of a nationalist vigilante group face indictment on charges of targeting undocumented foreign nationals in Daegu earlier this year.
According to the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday, the suspects, from Citizen’s Protection Solidarity, are expected to stand trial for checking and “arresting” without legal authority between February and March foreigners whom they allege violated traffic rules.
A non-Korean who was riding a motorcycle with no number plate was one of their targets.
The case is now under review by the prosecution.
Under Korean law, individuals are allowed to apprehend criminals in the act without warrants, but specific conditions must be met to do so lawfully. However, individuals cannot be detained for petty offenses, such as minor traffic rule violations.
Individuals who restrict others' freedom of movement through physical force or by posing a significant threat may be subject to prosecution.
It is unknown how many people were questioned and detained by the members of the group.
“A person driving a motorcycle without a number plate may be subject to a fine, but not to arrest,” a police officer at the agency said. “We will continue to respond sternly to such crimes targeting foreigners.”
The vigilante organization was established with the aim of “protecting (Korean) citizens and improving their safety.” One of its key tasks is to respond to issues related to what it describes as “immigrants staying illegally” here, for which it made headlines in recent months.
It claims to have four branches, including one in the greater Seoul area.