Park Wang Yeol, often referred to as the “drug king,” has been repatriated to South Korea after nine years in a Philippine prison, drawing renewed public attention.
According to the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency, Park arrived at Incheon International Airport at 7:16 a.m. on March 25 and was immediately transferred to the agency. Upon arrival, Park refused to answer questions such as, “Where did you hide your criminal proceeds?” and “Do you acknowledge living luxuriously with your girlfriend while in prison?”
However, when making eye contact with a bystander in the crowd at the airport, Park reportedly shouted, “You are not even a man.”
Park Wang Yeol’s criminal history was previously highlighted on the SBS program 'Tails of Tales' in January. He had murdered three South Koreans in a sugarcane field in Angeles, Philippines, and disposed of their bodies before fleeing. After being captured, he escaped twice. First, he tore through the ceiling of the Bicutan immigrant detention center and then escaped again through a restaurant restroom vent.
He also operated under the alias “King of the World” on Telegram, distributing drugs internationally and serving as a key supplier to South Korea. Earlier in his life, Park imported fresh tuna for department stores in South Korea. After his business failed in the early 2010s, he moved to the Philippines.
Park was sentenced to 60 years in prison in the Philippines but continued running a luxurious prison life while using Telegram to distribute large quantities of drugs in South Korea. In a past interview with JTBC from prison, he famously claimed, “If I speak, many South Korean prosecutors will lose their positions.”
The South Korean government had pursued his extradition for nine years. President Lee Jae Myung even raised the issue during a summit with the Philippines earlier this month. After a decade abroad, Park Wang Yeol has finally set foot in South Korea.
Park’s life story served as inspiration for the film 'The Roundup' and the drama 'Big Bet.'
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