{
  "id": 7931778,
  "title": "9 sent to prosecution for alleged extortion targeting foreigners in Yangsan, Gimhae",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/9-sent-to-prosecution-for-alleged-extortion-targeting-foreigners-in-7931778",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T02:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260917/9-sent-to-prosecution-for-alleged-extortion-targeting-foreigners-in-yangsan-gimhae"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nine individuals have been referred to prosecutors in connection with allegations of extortion targeting foreign nationals in the southeastern South Korean cities of Yangsan and Gimhae, according to local authorities. The Yangsan Police Station reported that two suspects, both in their 20s, allegedly extorted approximately 2 million Korean won ($1,450) from foreign riders on 24 separate occasions between June and July. The suspects threatened to report victims to the police if they did not pay, targeting those who were unaware of their undocumented status or the unregistered nature of their motorcycles.\n\nSeven teenagers in Gimhae, also situated roughly 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, have been transferred to the prosecution on suspicion of intimidating foreign motorcyclists without license plates. The incidents reportedly occurred in September 2025 and June 2026, involving actions such as kicking vehicles. Police noted that the suspects chose their targets knowing that foreign riders often feared exposure of their own undocumented status or unregistered motorcycles.",
  "summary": "Police have referred nine individuals to the prosecution on suspicion of intimidating and extorting money from foreign nationals operating unregistered motorcycles in the southeastern cities of Yangsan and Gimhae, local authorities said Thursday. According to the Yangsan Police Station, two suspects in their 20s allegedly extorted about 2 million won ($1,450) from foreign riders on 24 occasions…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "9 sent to prosecution for alleged extortion targeting foreigners in Yangsan, Gimhae",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/9-sent-to-prosecution-for-alleged-extortion-targeting-foreigners-in",
        "published": "2026-09-17T02:02:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "9 sent to prosecution for alleged extortion targeting foreigners in Yangsan, Gimhae",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/9-sent-to-prosecution-for-alleged-extortion-targeting-foreigners-in-7926800",
        "published": "2026-09-17T02:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}