Two South Korean Men Extradited and Arrested Over 2018 Attempted Robbery in Tokyo's Taito Ward
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
The Metropolitan Police Department announced on September 15, 2026 that it had arrested two South Korean nationals, Noh Hyun-dong, 29, and Kim Tae-ho, 31, on suspicion of attempted robbery. According to the Sankei Shimbun and Jiji Press, the two are accused of conspiring with other South Korean men to spray tear gas at two men, including a Chinese national, on a street in Matsugaya, Taito Ward, Tokyo, at around 1:20 a.m. on November 12, 2018, in an attempt to steal roughly 47 million yen in cash.
Five South Korean men are believed to have been involved in the incident; two were arrested and convicted at the time and subsequently deported. The remaining suspects, including Noh and Kim, left Japan via Narita Airport on the day of the incident, and the Metropolitan Police Department had them internationally wanted through Interpol. This time, under the Japan-South Korea extradition treaty, the South Korean government handed the two over at Gimpo Airport in Seoul, and Metropolitan Police investigators took them into custody aboard a Japanese-flagged aircraft. Under questioning, Noh has remained silent while Kim has denied the allegations.
Current status: The whereabouts of the remaining suspects and whether the case will be referred for prosecution remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.