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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] A series of pickpocketing incidents involving visa-free Chinese tourists has been reported in Jeju Island, prompting heightened police response.
According to the Jeju Dongbu Police Station on April 25, a Chinese tourist in his 40s was recently arrested on theft charges after allegedly stealing a wallet and KRW 200,000 from a passenger on a city bus on April 9.
Police identified the suspect through CCTV analysis and apprehended him at a restaurant on April 15. While authorities sought an arrest warrant citing flight risk, prosecutors declined to pursue detention, and the suspect was released.
In a separate case, two Chinese nationals in their 50s were arrested for allegedly stealing a wallet and cash worth about KRW 1 million at a traditional market in Jeju City on April 12. One of the suspects is also accused of a prior theft involving gift certificates.
Another incident involving three Chinese suspects on a city bus is currently under investigation.
Police have formed dedicated task forces across precincts as such crimes involving visa-free visitors continue to increase.
AlphaBIZ Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
