Violent Gang Claiming 'Yain Sidae' Legacy Dismantled in Seoul

Seoul police have dismantled a violent criminal organization that claimed to inherit the legacy of the infamous "Dongdaemun faction," a notorious group from the First Republic era. The organization, established in 1996, operated under the guise of upholding the spirit of Lee Jeong-jae, a historical figure associated with the original Dongdaemun faction.

Authorities arrested a total of 40 individuals, including 21 core members of the Dongdaemun faction and 19 members from three allied organizations. Of these, 32 have been indicted on charges including violations of the Act on the Punishment of Arranging Crimes, etc. Two additional members, currently residing in the Philippines and Cambodia, have arrest warrants issued against them.

The group's activities spanned various criminal enterprises, including organized street vendor extortion, involvement in redevelopment rights disputes, and participation in voice phishing schemes. Police investigations revealed that the organization actively recruited new members, often targeting former leaders of regional high school gangs. They established safe houses in Seoul and Incheon to train new recruits in their strict code of conduct.

Members, predominantly in their early twenties and thirties, adhered to a rigid, outdated operational style. Their code of conduct included mandatory tattoos of the organization's name, a Japanese Yakuza-style bowing ritual for juniors to seniors, severe punishment for disobedience, and retribution against defectors. The group even held a memorial ceremony for the late Lee Jeong-jae last October in his birthplace.

Beyond violent assaults and gang fights, the group also engaged in sophisticated criminal activities such as operating investment scam "reading rooms" and participating in the trade of personal information. In one incident in February, approximately 50 members were involved in a large-scale brawl with another organization. Police are emphasizing a strong response to prevent younger generations from being drawn to such violent groups.

“

We will focus our investigative capabilities and respond strongly to prevent younger generations who have a vague admiration for existing criminal organizations from committing organized violent crimes, thereby disrupting the peaceful daily lives of citizens.