The police acknowledge that such reports could be a form of personal retaliation disguised as whistleblowing, but there is no clear response measure against these false reports. (Yonhap News TV)
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) – In the early morning of October 5, a call was placed to the 112 emergency center, claiming that foreigners were using drugs after lunch. It was not just one or two individuals; dozens of foreigners were said to gather and engage in group drug use.
The report was made by a foreigner in somewhat broken but accurate Korean, pointing to a rest area within a company located in an industrial complex in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju as the site of these group drug activities.
Acting on the information disclosed by the foreign worker, the police assembled a response team of about 20 officers and conducted a raid. However, they couldn’t conceal their sense of disappointment. No criminal traces were found among the foreign workers, who were resting due to fatigue from early work and sluggishness after their meal.
During the raid, the police apprehended only 10 illegal residents, all of whom were handed over to the immigration office.
Following the loss of all of its skilled workers due to this incident, the company is grappling with potential delays in fulfilling orders.
According to the police on Saturday, a series of exaggerated or misleading reports, bordering on falsehoods, have been emerging in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, where a cluster of foreigners has formed this year. Currently, an intensive crackdown on drug-related crimes is underway.
On September 24, a report was filed claiming that a group of foreigners was using drugs in a club dedicated to foreigners in Gwangsan-gu. About 30 police officers were mobilized to raid the club, but the report turned out to be false.
All foreigners identified as illegal immigrants are typically deported immediately.
The police acknowledge that such reports could be a form of personal retaliation disguised as whistleblowing, but there is no clear response measure against these false reports.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
