Overview
The Jijonpa was a notorious South Korean criminal organization active from April 1993 to September 1994, known for its extreme brutality and shocking crimes. Unlike typical serial murder cases, which often involve lone perpetrators or small groups, the Jijonpa consisted of eight members, making it an exceptionally rare and disturbing case. Their crimes, including robbery, murder, SA, organized crime, and violations of firearms laws, deeply shocked South Korean society in the 1990s.
Name
The organization referred to itself as Maskan, derived from a Greek word meaning "ambition." However, the name Jijonpa (meaning "Supreme Sect") was coined by chief investigator Go Byeong-cheon, who led their arrest. The name was inspired by the group’s training hoods, marked with the word Jijon (meaning "supreme"), and the nickname of the leader, Kim Ki-hwan. The investigator rejected the name Maskan due to its foreign origin and the group’s heinous ambition-driven crimes. Media reports initially linked the name to the Hong Kong film The Last of Us, sparking criticism of Hong Kong cinema’s influence on youth, though the group’s use of Jijon was indeed inspired by such films.
Formation
The Jijonpa was formed in 1993 in Daedong-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, driven by resentment toward societal inequalities, particularly following a college entrance exam fraud scandal. Leader Kim Ki-hwan, fueled by hatred for the wealthy, sought to extort money from high-income individuals.
First Attempt (Late 1992)
Kim Ki-hwan initially attempted to form a criminal organization in 1992, recruiting Mr. Cho, a coal mine coworker, and four others, including gambling acquaintances. However, the group disbanded when members hesitated over the inclusion of murder in the plan.
Second Formation (Early 1993)
Undeterred, Kim Ki-hwan refined his approach, targeting individuals with strong anti-wealth sentiments and limited education. He studied conversation techniques to build a more cohesive group. In March 1993, he recruited Kang Dong-eun, a hometown junior, who joined willingly after a month-long persuasion process. Kang introduced Moon Sang-rok, a prison acquaintance, and Song Bong-woo, who also joined. The group relocated to Jeonju to plan their crimes in detail. Additional members included Baek Byeong-ok, a former prison mate of Kang, Kang Moon-seop, a coworker, and Kim Hyun-yang, who aspired to be a bank robber. By July 1993, the core group was solidified. Lee Kyung-sook, Kang Dong-eun’s girlfriend, joined later to handle chores but was arrested shortly after.
The group saved 20 million won over a year to fund their operations, with Kim Ki-hwan designing a hideout built by his siblings. Their stated mission was to “clean up the dirty people,” targeting those who “eat well, live well, and exercise their bodies.” Kim maintained strict discipline, threatening death to traitors and emphasizing loyalty.
Platform and Ideology
The Jijonpa’s ideology was rooted in class resentment and a desire for retribution against the wealthy. Their stated goals included:
- Hatred for the rich, targeting them for extortion and violence.
- Aiming to amass 1 billion won through their crimes.
- Strict loyalty, with death as punishment for betrayal.
- Extreme distrust, even toward close family members, as encapsulated in their motto, “A woman should not even trust her mother.”
Organization Members
- Kim Ki-hwan (Leader, 26): The mastermind, known as Jijon, who orchestrated the group’s activities with a focus on discipline.
- Kang Dong-eun (22): Kim’s trusted deputy and recruiter, responsible for bringing in key members.
- Kim Hyun-yang (Action Captain, 22): Led the group’s violent operations, including murders.
- Moon Sang-rok (23): A loyal member involved in planning and execution of crimes.
- Kang Moon-seop (20): Recruited through Moon, participated in violent acts.
- Baek Byeong-ok (20): A prison acquaintance of Kang, involved in the group’s crimes.
- Lee Kyung-sook (23, only female): Joined to handle chores, arrested two days later. Sentenced to 3 years in prison with 4 years probation due to her minimal involvement. Pregnant at the time of arrest, she died of cancer in 2024.
- Song Bong-woo (18): The youngest member, killed by the group in August 1993 after attempting to flee with 3 million won. His murder followed a brutal assault and desecration of his body.
Crimes and Arrest
Active from April 1993 to September 1994, the Jijonpa committed a range of heinous crimes, including:
- Robbery
- Murder
- SA
- Organized crime
- Membership in a criminal group
- Violation of the Firearms, Swords, Explosives, etc. Control Act
- Concealment, abandonment, and destruction of corpses
A notable crime was the July 1993 assault and murder of Choi Mi-ja, initiated by Song Bong-woo, Kang Dong-eun, and Baek Byeong-ok, with Kim Ki-hwan ordering her death. The group was arrested on September 20, 1994, following the escape of a hostage, Lee OO.
Sentences
All members except Lee Kyung-sook received the death penalty. Lee, who joined only days before the arrest and did not directly participate in murders, was sentenced to 3 years in prison with 4 years probation and was released in 1998.
