Pyeongtaek police arrest 9 foreigners in mass brawl investigation

Police in Pyeongtaek have arrested nine foreign nationals, including three who have been detained, in connection with a mass brawl that occurred at a park in Poseung-eup last month. The suspects, primarily from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, are facing charges of joint injury and special injury for using wooden clubs and other objects to attack one another.

The investigation has identified 22 total participants in the incident. Authorities confirmed that two Kazakhstani nationals fled the country shortly after the brawl. Police have requested notification upon their re-entry and are currently tracking remaining suspects within South Korea through travel bans and other measures.

The conflict reportedly began on September 28 at a club catering to foreigners. The groups involved had allegedly met at a children's park to resolve their initial dispute, but the situation escalated into a large-scale fight after both sides summoned acquaintances. Investigators stated there is no evidence of involvement with organized crime or drug use, noting that many of the participants are day laborers.