Man arrested for extorting massage parlors in South Korea

Authorities in Gwangju, South Korea, have arrested a man in his 20s on charges of habitual extortion and attempted extortion. The suspect is accused of targeting six massage and therapy businesses in the Gwangju area between June 2nd and June 12th of this year.

According to the Northern Gwangju Police, the man allegedly threatened to report the businesses to the police. His threats reportedly centered on claims of sexual misconduct or issues related to the practice of massage by non-visually impaired individuals, which he used as leverage to demand money.

Investigators believe the suspect successfully extorted a total of 4.3 million won (approximately $3,100 USD) from three of the six establishments he targeted. The man reportedly told police that the business owners voluntarily gave him the money.

Given the repeated nature of the alleged offenses and concerns about recidivism, police sought and obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect. The court subsequently issued the warrant, leading to his arrest.