Two teens arrested after extorting Bundang massage parlor owner

Police arrested two 18-year-olds in Bundang, Gyeonggi, after they allegedly extorted cash from a massage parlor operator by threatening to report the business for admitting minors. A third suspect fled and remains at large. 

Reporting by the JoongAng Ilbo on Wednesday found that the suspects received a massage at the business around 8:21 a.m. on July 16, then allegedly threatened the owner, saying, "We're minors. If you don't pay us, we'll report you and get your business shut down." The frightened owner handed over 400,000 won ($270) in cash, and the suspects left.

The police believe the teenagers exploited the fact that the massage parlor falls under a category of businesses barred from admitting or employing minors. Under guidelines from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, service businesses where physical contact between unrelated people or exposure of intimate body parts could occur, or that could otherwise facilitate sexual or similar acts, may be designated off-limits to minors.

In Korea, the age of majority is 19.

Enclosed facilities equipped with bathrooms, bathtubs, bedding or beds are similarly restricted.

About 20 minutes later, the suspects returned to the scene, where they were arrested by police who responded to a report from the owner. They initially denied the extortion, but police obtained statements acknowledging the crime after questioning them separately.

A police official said the suspects will be questioned further with their parents present to determine their motive and whether they have prior similar offenses.

BY HEO JEONG-WON [[email protected]]