Kkangpae

By contrast, members of organized crime gangs are called geondal (건달) or jopok (Korean: 조폭; Hanja: 組暴; Abbreviation of 조직폭력배; 組織暴力輩).

The Korean mafia may have been established in the 19th century, towards the end of the Joseon dynasty, with the rise of commerce and the emergence of investment from European colonial powers.

Koo Majok finally tried to solidify his control over the Korean mobs by knocking out Shang Kal and taking over his territory, but it caused a backlash.

[1] The 1980s was a flourishing period for gangsters, as they were able to infiltrate businesses and set up connections with in-house government and entertainment officials, as well as making ties with other global crime rings.

The early 1990s saw another periodic crackdown with Article 114 of Korean Criminal Law dictating that not only were organized gangs illegal, but those who joined or formed groups could also be charged.

[1] However, Korea's rapid globalization has made it hard for law enforcement to completely stamp out organized crime, which continues to be a problem in the present day.

Gang members have been linked to crimes ranging from sex trafficking to drug smuggling, burglary, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.

A survey in 2007 showed that 109 inmates jailed for organized criminal activities were all involved in extortion, mostly victimizing/running bars, nightclubs, and game rooms.

The stereotypical image of the quintessential South Korean mafioso is one with a gakdoogi hairstyle, which consists of the sides of the head shaved, with hair remaining on top, a big build, dark, black clothing, tacky suits, black-painted luxury cars, prominent tattoos, and regional accents or dialects (사투리Saturi).

Some of the most preeminent criminal syndicates are: Films romanticizing kkangpae have featured in South Korean cinema since the 1970s, but gained a foothold in the market in the early 1990s.