Police announced today (September 28) that they plan to apply for arrest warrants for four Chinese suspects who committed a "lacquer vandalism" attack at a Chinese restaurant in Bundang, Seongnam, named after China's top leader.

An official from the National Investigation Headquarters under the National Police Agency stated during a regular briefing that they "plan to apply for arrest warrants today," adding, "Since they have already departed for China, we will coordinate closely with China through the Bureau of International Cooperation."

The four Chinese male suspects in their 20s to 40s are accused of breaking into the Chinese restaurant located in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, at around 2:40 AM on September 24, the first day of the Chuseok holiday, and smearing lacquer and paint inside.

They are also suspected of spraying a substance presumed to be pesticide onto food ingredients.

Although police identified the suspects through their investigation, it was confirmed that all of them have fled back to their home country.

The suspects, who committed the crime while hiding their faces with masks and hats, stopped by their accommodation in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, after which three of them departed through Incheon International Airport on the morning of the same day, and the remaining one in the afternoon.

Once the warrants are issued, investigative agencies such as the police and prosecutors can request an Interpol Red Notice.

This is an urgent request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a major criminal suspect who has fled abroad.

However, as China has not yet complied with any extradition requests since the South Korea-China Extradition Treaty went into effect, concerns have been raised that the investigation could face setbacks.

Regarding the massive personal data leak at Coupang, a former Chinese employee singled out as the mastermind also returned to China immediately after the crime, but has not yet been repatriated.

While police booked the former employee and prosecutors requested repatriation from Chinese authorities early this year through mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, it is known that there has been little tangible progress.

An official from the National Investigation Headquarters said, "We are conducting cooperative investigations from multiple angles regarding the suspect as well," but regarding specific investigation details, stated, "It is difficult to say for sure" and "We can only mention that a cooperative investigation is underway."

(Photo provided by victim, Yonhap News)