In December 2022, the international non-profit organization Safeguard Defenders raised suspicions that China is operating secret police stations in multiple countries to suppress Chinese dissidents living overseas, one of which is alleged to be in South Korea. A Chinese restaurant named Dongfang Mingzhu, located on the Han River in Seoul’s Songpa District has been accused of secretly operating as a police station.
Controversy arose when the operator of Dongfang Mingzhu, Wang Haijun (46), used a billboard in December 2022 to display messages such as “Corrupt companies control public opinion with money and ridicule Korean citizens” and “Pro-American forces vs Pro-Chinese forces.”
Wang has recently reemerged. According to the police, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Industrial Technology Security Investigation Team sent Wang to the Central District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of embezzlement in business at the end of June.
Using the funds of Wang’s media company, HG Culture Media, he is accused of using them for personal purposes instead of business. It is known that HG Culture Media has been conducting cooperative businesses with Xinhua Net, a Chinese state-run media.
Previously on February 22, the police searched Wang’s residence in Incheon, as well as the office of HG Culture Media in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
Following the investigation, the prosecution plans to investigate the use of the embezzled funds by Wang.
When asked about the connection with China, the police responded, “We are in a position where we cannot say anything.”
The Dongfang Mingzhu business is currently under trial for violations of the Food Sanitation Act and the Specialized Credit Financial Business Act.
