HKThe Philippines focused heavily on dismantling Chinese-linked gambling operations known as Pogos, which were notorious for human trafficking, torture, and fraud. However, South Korean syndicates simultaneously built a massive illegal online betting network worth approximately $3.8 billion, operating through 23 websites based in Manila. The recent arrest of Kim Young-sun, a 29-year-old Korean woman, highlights the existence of this underreported criminal enterprise. Despite the significant scale of the Korean operation, it remained largely overlooked compared to the high-profile crackdown on Chinese-linked gambling. Recent developments indicate that this Korean-based illegal gambling industry continues to operate with minimal public awareness.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about illegal gambling operations in the Philippines without overtly favoring any political side. It discusses both the Chinese-linked Pogos and the South Korean syndicates, providing context on the scale and impact of these activities without taking a clear stance.
