Seoul: South Korea will launch a nationwide crackdown on organized and transnational crime on Monday, with a focus on younger gang members involved in fraud and money laundering, local media reported Sunday. The initiative is set to address a surge in organized crimes that have alarmed authorities and the public alike.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced that the operation will run through October 31, targeting lucrative financial crimes such as organized fraud, illegal private lending, online gambling, and money laundering. The crackdown aims to dismantle networks involved in these illegal activities and curb their growing influence within the country.

Additionally, police will focus on individuals who flaunt illegally obtained wealth on social media platforms. This effort seeks to counteract the intimidation tactics used by criminals to assert their dominance and influence over the public.

The operation will also address drug trafficking, with a particular emphasis on synthetic drugs like ketamine, as well as organized crimes involving foreign nationals. These issues have been identified as significant threats to public safety and social order.

The decision to launch the crackdown comes in response to a marked increase in organized and transnational crime during the first half of the year. Between March and June, police arrested 1,185 gang members, representing a 9.7% increase from the previous crackdown period. Notably, individuals in their 30s or younger made up 63.6% of those arrested, highlighting a concerning trend in the demographic involved in these criminal activities.