Pasay City: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the recent arrest of an overstaying South Korean national wanted by international authorities for kidnapping and beating a compatriot five years ago. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Jang Seongwoong, 47, who was arrested in Pasay City on May 22 by the fugitive search unit (FSU).

According to Philippines News Agency, Viado stated that Jang has been on the BI's wanted list since 2021, following an order for his deportation due to his status as an undesirable alien. Viado explained that Jang's arrest was carried out based on a deportation warrant, which was issued according to the deportation order. Jang has been included in the BI's blacklist, permanently banning him from reentering the country.

Jang's travel records revealed that he had been hiding in the Philippines since May 1, 2017, when he last entered the country as a tourist. BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy indicated that Jang is also the subject of a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which was issued in July 2019. Prior to the Interpol notice, the Daegu district court in South Korea had issued a warrant for Jang's arrest on charges of serious physical injury and kidnapping.

Authorities alleged that Jang and his associates detained and severely beat their victim, who allegedly owed them gambling debts, using a baseball bat, resulting in the victim suffering multiple body injuries. Jang is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, as he awaits deportation.