'Cheongdam Boss', Supplier to Park Wang-yeol, Appears for Warrant Review... Remains Silent

Forcibly Repatriated from Thailand
Pretrial Detention Decision Expected Late Tonight

Choi, known as the 'Cheongdam Boss', who was forcibly repatriated from Thailand on charges of supplying narcotics worth tens of billions of won to drug smuggling ringleader Park Wang-yeol, is now facing possible arrest as of May 3. The decision regarding Choi's pretrial detention is expected to be made late this afternoon.

Domestic drug kingpin Park Wang-yeol's drug supplier repatriated. Yonhap News Agency

On this day, at 3:30 p.m., the Suwon District Court will hold a pretrial detention hearing (substantive warrant review) for Choi, who is suspected of violating the Narcotics Control Act and related offenses.

At approximately 2:05 p.m., as Choi left the Narcotics and International Crime Investigation Division of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, he did not respond to reporters' questions about whether he acknowledged the charges and boarded the transport vehicle without comment.

During police questioning, Choi reportedly admitted to some unrelated drug charges, but completely denied any connection to Park Wang-yeol, the main subject of the investigation, claiming, "I do not know him." Accordingly, the police are focusing investigative resources on analyzing evidence, such as 13 mobile phones secured when Choi was extradited from Thailand, through digital forensics.

The police plan to determine the exact scale of transactions and criminal proceeds between Choi and Park Wang-yeol, as well as investigate Choi's alleged violation of passport regulations and other related matters. Additionally, they intend to work with local authorities to investigate whether a drug production factory exists in Thailand.

Choi is accused of smuggling and distributing narcotics, including 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth a total of 10 billion won into Korea since 2019. He used nicknames such as 'Cheongdam' and 'Cheongdam Boss' on Telegram, and reportedly enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, owning high-value real estate in Cheongdam-dong with his family and driving supercars.

Previously, on March 25, while investigating Park Wang-yeol, who was forcibly repatriated from the Philippines, the police discovered clues that Choi was a supplier of narcotics. After confirming that Choi was staying in Thailand, he was apprehended on April 10 through cooperation with local police. Subsequently, on May 1, as soon as Choi boarded a passenger plane at a Thai airport, the arrest warrant was executed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.