Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwifruit · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Location: my apartment

If you folks want to find out what Korean gangsters do (somewhat comically) then rent just about any Korean dvd with english subtitles.

I would say that 3 quarters of all korean movies I have seen (about 20) have revolved around gangs.

They run nightclubs and other similar 'night' entertainment businesses.

Basically they beat each other up with handy pieces of 2 by 2 in the comedy movies and stick big knives into each others stomachs in the more serious flicks.

kf

Medic · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

There are the odd news items about Korea towns in Australia, and New York, and how smaller buisness are extorted for protection money by small time young thugs. Many cases don't get reported apparently, but the local police do come down hard on those they catch. I have often wondered if all of that is just an extension of what is really going in Korea anyway.

inexhile · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

The Local gym I go to is run by Gumpei (sp). My boss didn't want me to join for this reason. I spend much time with them and as far as I can tell they all own respectable buisnesses, that do very well because they get the contracts from local govt by bribery or muscle flexing. They are very nice to me and have introduced me to their children and we check out each others tattoos etc
They also gave me some body building gear and free chicken, cool huh.

candu · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Tiger Beer and others

The Israelis venders have been selling on the streets of Japanese cities since at least the mid-90s, most likely earlier. I've seen a fair number in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as a couple in Fukuoka and Kyoto. I've been told that some time ago they managed get permission from the local Yakuza to sell their wares, as well as to "lease" out spaces to other people hawking stuff on the streets. A friend of a friend was beaten up by his Israeli "superintendants" in the Ikebukaru neighborhood of Tokyo because he was late paying his monthy "rent" for his space on the street. Essentially, he was told it wasn't personal, but that ultimately the Israelis were simply middlemen, and therefore accountable to the Yakuza guys if business wasn't being conducted appropriately. I've met a couple of Israelis selling stuff here, but it doesn't seem as if they have the same relationship with the local hoods as they do in Japan.

As far as here is concerned, I would strongly suspect that you might require something other than an "official" permit to sell stuff or run a certain entertainment establishments in Itaewon, Daehangro, Insadong, of other neighborhoods of Seoul...
You see gangsters around Seoul fairly often - in fact there's one at my gym with a pretty cool tattoo covering the entirety of his back - but as is the case with organized criminals most anywhere, they are unlikely to waste their time with us, unless we interfere with business or make the mistake of antagonizing them for some moronic reason. Why do that?!

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Korean gangsters? after meeting the boss of the boss of the boss of my 2 hagwons, i now believe they run them. Check it out: their whole appearance is like mafia dons- their perfectly manicured black suited image: their "alpha male' way of ordering their women around.. the way they subtly threaten you if you think about breaking your contract..their executive, faceless decisions and herd of scared,bowing and scraping korean teachers. They way they flatter and consult from their swivel leather chairs- then casually hand you an envelope of money as "a gift" etc etc. They're arseholes who wouldn't last a day in the menagerie of a classroom.

Dr. Buck · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Land of the Morning Clam

Korean gangsters: a real class act. Check out this link:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2002-08-22/cb2.shtml

Pimps, posers, rapists, extortionists, a bit of muscle, sycophants, . . . . even the criminals in Korea are third rate.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

What are the main gangster groups running Itaewon do you think?

Homer · Guest

panther,

anae · Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: cowtown

My husband once told me a story of gangsters trying to move in on some kind of student celebration at Chonbuk National University. They were sent running with their tails between their legs by the students' union. Apparently, the accounting dept. could make a mean molotov c o c ktail come in handy on non-protest days.

Imbroglio · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:19 am Post subject:

panthermodern · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Taxronto

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Gangsters are like bears?

That's profound.

Anyone 'member when the donkey threatened his boss' wife, telling her he was going to sick the local gangsters on her?

That was funny.

Sparkles*_*

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

I have heard, from an underworld related Korean, that the mafia in Korea originated from Mokpo and Kwangju down south. They are the most feared in Korea amongst the mafia population and they spread themselves to Pusan and Seoul from there. In order of most feared and respected: Kwanju and Mokpo at the top, Pusan second with ther Itaewon mafia coming in third.

They run the big port towns such as Pusan, Mokpo and Incheon, (and yes, the Russians are moving in, but as was reported recently, they are killing each other in Pusan!) controlling a lot of what goes in and out of the country, alledgedly, and as someone mentioned before, they are heavily involved with the contruction business here as it is such a HUGE business to get involved with in the current climate. There is a lot of backhanders flying around and payments made to guarantee contracts etc. within the building world. (sounds not unlike western countries!)

Yes. They have the extortion, prostitution, money lending and protection as well, but I suppose that we can thankful that they don't have the drugs in the same way that we do in America and England.

They will leave you alone if you leave them alone and don't interfere or interupt them. Same anywhere really. They don't want the hassle of foreigners as we can be more trouble than we are worth if anything happens over nothing. A bit like the police and paper work with foreigners here. Infact - the same thing. More trouble than we are worth in their eyes.

Also, if you are not sure, check for a missing finger. Some of the lowly members are mssing an apendage - as a sign of loyalty to their particular faction.

Also, a lot of them seem to have a broken arm. If you ever see a group of them, or even a couple of them together, you can put money on the fact that one of them will be wearing a cast on their arms. Haven't worked that one out yet.

The bouncers in England have got exactly the same look and style as the Korean mafia, but the English have a particularly bad attitude that goes with thier particularly bad hairstlye. At least we are spared that here.

Stay out of their way and they wil stay out of yours. However, if you can befriend a boss, then it does and can work in your favour. They will offer to help you if the situation arises, if you drop a few hints that you are having some grief from somewhere or someone. And that I speak from experience.

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

The most feared gangsters are from the provence of Cholla Do. This is where most of the "real" gangsters come from. In my experiences Korean gangsters are of no concern to foreigners, most try to stay low key.... messing with foreigners is far from low key.
Ive met a few Korean Gangsters, and Yakuza before and both groups of people were really friendly. Much more so than some average joes that I know. They wont mess with you without a reason.
But dont make the mistake that they are pussies... I saw a fight that stopped traffic outside Miliore(however you spell it) in Tongdaemun. Must have been 20 guys, throwing bikes, jumping on heads, flying kicks off cars. More tattoos and blood than in a hells angels trip to the emergency room.