What happened?

The Suwon District Court sentenced two foreign nationals in their twenties for special robbery, according to Yonhap News. The court gave a Kyrgyz national, identified as A, 3 years and 6 months in prison, and a Russian national, identified as B, 3 years.

How did the robbery unfold?

According to the indictment, the two were recruited through a day-labor agency by an unidentified foreign man, C. C reportedly told them the cash owner was not in Korea and would be unable to report a robbery. On April 7, the pair allegedly waited near a spot where the victim was to receive the money. After the victim walked out, they threatened him with a blunt object and took a bag containing about 217 million won, then fled. A third accomplice fled overseas.

What did the court say?

The court described the crime as serious because several people used weapons to threaten the victim and took a large sum. It noted the victim had not received an apology or settlement. In mitigation, it said about 6.35 million won was returned to the victim, that B confessed, and that B had no prior criminal record in Korea. A denied the charges.

For international fans

This case is a criminal news story rather than an entertainment one. It shows how Korean courts treat special robbery, a charge that can apply even when weapons are used in a group crime.