KANG Tae Sik, a Korean businessman who has been living in the Philippines for more than 40 years, has been cleared of any derogatory records by the Bureau of Immigration.
Kang, 76, president and chief executive of K&L Jinro Philippines Inc., was accused of heading the alleged Korean Mafia operating in the Philippines during a Senate hearing on the kidnapping and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.
Immigration cleared Kang even as Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the possible involvement of his fellow South Koreans in Jee’s kidnapping and killing in October last year.
He said he met with South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae Shin on Feb. 24, and that Kim gave his consent to pursue the “Korean mafia” angle.
The meeting took place after the South Korean Embassy criticized Aguirre over such “unfounded information.”
He said he told kim his reasons for believing in the importance of pursuing the Korean mafia angle.
Kang’s spokesman Redentor Viaje said the false accusation on his client had put his and his family’s life in danger, adding that Aguirre should first provide evidence before naming names.
Viaje said the incorrect information on Korean investors and Korean Embassy officials over Jee’s abduction and killing had put the Korean citizens living in the Philippines in a bad light.
In a statement Kang denied he was a member or a leader of the Korean mafia but a legitimate businessman in the country.
Viaje said accusing Korean businessmen of wrongdoing without evidence would drive away other Korean investors.
“Kang has no derogatory records based on the Bureau of Immigration data base which is interconnected with the National Bureau of Investigation and Interpol,” Viaje said.
“Kang became a victim of the so-called ‘Korean-Filipino Mafia’ but kept silent for fear of reprisal from the syndicate.”