The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Korean fugitive following an International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Red Notice issued against the 29-year-old over her reported involvement in running illegal online gambling sites.

According to a Sunday press release, South Korean national Kim Youngsun was arrested on August 7 at a residential area along Governor Ferrer Drive in Barangay Buenavista I, General Trias, Cavite.

The joint operation which led to Kim’s arrest, involving the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), the Philippine National Police – Intelligence Group (PNP-IG), working alongside Korean authorities, was prompted by a request for assistance in locating Kim.

An arrest warrant was earlier issued against her by the Incheon District Court in South Korea on April 22 last year, for opening and operating a cyber-gambling house.

“According to information provided to Philippine authorities, Kim was allegedly involved in the operation of 23 illegal online gambling websites from offices in Pasay City and Quezon City beginning in November 2018,” the BI revealed.

“She allegedly served as an assistant manager of the support team and supervised several operational units involved in the gambling operation,” it added.

This gambling syndicate has earned an estimated KRW 5.33 trillion, or PHP 237 billion, through online sports betting and other illicit gambling activities.

The INTERPOL Red Notice was issued against her in June 2025.

BI records show that Kim entered the Philippines as a temporary visitor in 2025. Her authorized stay having already expired, the bureau considers her an overstaying foreign national.

Kim has been brought to the BI for booking and documentation and will be held at its warden facility for custodial proceedings.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest emphasizes the BI’s commitment to capturing foreign fugitives hiding in the country.