By Lee Kyung-min
Forty-seven men who fled to the Philippines after committing crimes here have been returned to Korea, police said Thursday.
According to the National Police Agency, the suspects arrived at Incheon International Airport around 4 p.m. and were immediately taken into custody.
They are among 91 who have been extradited from the Southeast Asian country. Of 485 suspects who fled overseas this year, almost a third, or 199 people, ended up in the Philippines, police said.
The extradition follows mounting criticism from Koreans living in the Philippines who are concerned about Korean fugitives becoming involved in crimes there.
Of those returned to Korea, 39 were allegedly involved in fraud amounting to 46 billion won ($42 million), including one involving cryptocurrency worth 30 billion won.
One of the suspects, who had been avoiding law enforcement authorities the longest, faces criminal prosecution 20 years after fleeing in November 1997. Other suspects were allegedly involved in assault, drug-related offences and theft. Interpol had wanted 11 of them.
Police said they would continue to cooperate with the Philippines in tracking down suspects. Ninety Koreans are currently detained under immigration department supervision in the country.