Vietnam hands over 2 Interpol red notice suspects to South Korea

The suspects, identified as Choi Wonsuk and Lee Yiseul, were transferred at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi by Bac Ninh provincial police in coordination with investigative, immigration, and other units under the ministry.

South Korean authorities repatriated them the same night.

Both suspects admitted to entering Vietnam illegally and moving across multiple localities to evade capture.

Choi is wanted for allegedly operating an illegal online horse betting website, which offered wagers on races in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju in South Korea, as well as in Japan.

Between February 8, 2024 and November 4, 2024, 277 users transferred more than 5.9 billion won (US$3.98 million) to accounts linked to Choi for illegal betting, according to an arrest warrant issued by the Suwon District Court on May 14, 2025.

Interpol issued a red notice for Choi on September 11, 2025.

Lee is accused of participating in a telephone fraud ring in South Korea that impersonated postal workers, prosecutors, cybercrime investigators, and financial supervisory officials to defraud victims.

Between March 23, 2025 and April 1, 2025, Lee and accomplices allegedly obtained 689 million won ($465,277), according to an arrest warrant issued by the Uijeongbu District Court on August 19, 2025.

Interpol issued a red notice for Lee on September 15, 2025.

The two were found in early March 2026 during administrative and residency checks by police in Vo Cuong Ward in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam after presenting passports without visas, leading authorities to suspect illegal entry and that they were internationally wanted.

Police arrested the suspects on Monday while they were hiding in the ward following coordination between local police and units under the Ministry of Public Security.

Police in Bac Ninh imposed administrative penalties on them for crossing the national border without completing the required entry procedures, and notified South Korea authorities before arranging their handover.