Italy has its Mafia, Japan has its yakuza, and China has its Triads. Here in Korea, we have "jopok" - organized crime rings. Not a day passes without people reading, hearing or watching this word on local media. The biggest blockbuster films are about gangs. In real life, too, a ringleader has even testified at the National Assembly. Gangsters are hardly new existences in this country but recent popular spotlights on them indicate how lawless and unhealthy this society has become.
이탈리아에는 마피아가 있고, 일본에는 야쿠자가 있고, 중국에는 삼합회가 있다. 여기 한국에는, "조폭'이라고 불리는 조직 범죄 단체가 있다. 우리들은 매일 언론에서 이 조폭이라는 말을 읽거나 듣거나 보게 된다. 최고 흥행영화도 조폭에 관한 것이었다. 또 실제의 삶에서도 조폭두목이 심지어 국회에서 증언을 하기도 했다. 조폭들은 우리나라에서는 결코 새로운 존재가 아니지만, 최근에 조폭들에 대중적인 관심이 집중되고 있는 현실은 우리 사회가 얼마나 무법천지이고 병들어 가고 있는 지를 보여준다.
One of the most noticeable - and worrisome - trends is the "upgraded" operational pattern of these mobs. Loan-sharking, one of their major income sources, is now being done through financing companies, with the core elements of exorbitant interests and violence on debtors remaining unchanged or even worsened. Likewise, those who used to supply sub-standard construction materials by force are building or remodeling apartments themselves.
가장 주목할만하고 동시에 걱정스러운 경향은 이들 조폭들이 진일보한 행동방식을 보이고 있다는 것이다. 조폭들의 주요한 수입원중의 하나인 고리대금업은 현재 금융회사를 통해서 이루어지고 있다. (고리대금업에서)과도한 이자와 채무자에 대한 폭력행사라는 핵심적인 요소는 여전히 변하지 않은 채로 있고 심지어 더 악화되어 가고 있다. 이런 행태와 비슷하게, 강제로 부실건축자재를 공급하곤 했던 조폭들이 이제는 그들 스스로 아파트를 짓거나 재건축을 하고 있다.
Also noteworthy is the sharply expanded radius of their activities. Of course, these racketeers have not abandoned their "traditional" lines, such as extortion, kidnapping and drug trafficking as well as running bars and brothels. Increasingly, however, the black-suited hooligans with crew cuts and wide shoulders are being seen at the sites of labor disturbances and even around the stumping sessions of by- and re-elections.
또 주목할 만한 것은 급작스럽게 확장된 그들의 행동반경이다. 물론 이들 조폭들은 물론 전통적인 방식(수입원)인 술집경영이나 매춘행위뿐만 아니라 갈취나 유괴 그리고 마약거래 등을 버리지 않았다. 그러나 점차로 검은색 양복을 쫙 빼입은 상고머리에 떡대좋은 조폭들이 노동분쟁 현장이나 심지어 재보궐 선거의 유세현장 주위에도 보이고 있다.
What concerns us most, however, are their persistent attempts - and success to a considerable extent - to "legitimize" themselves and their activities. A recent government auction, for instance, was turned into a gathering of senior gang leaders, including some retired rogues. With the criteria of a boss' influence shifting from physical to financial power, the murky local stock market has long become the playing ground of the cash-laden ringleaders.
그러나 우리가 가장 염려하는 것은 그들이 자기자신들과 자신들의 활동을 합법화하기 위해서 끊임없이 시도하고 있고, 또 그 시도는 상당한 정도로 성공하고 있다는 점이다. 예를 들어, 최근의 정부 경매는 몇몇의 은퇴한 깡패를 포함해서 조폭두목들의 모임으로 변하였다. 보스의 영향력을 판단하는 척도가 물리적인 힘(폭력)에서 경제적인 힘으로 바뀜에 따라서 지방의 주식시장은 돈 가진 조폭두목들의 어두컴컴한 놀이터로 둔갑한지 오래다.
Sometimes disguised as venture capitalists, they made quick bucks mostly on inside information and market manipulation. When things went wrong, the thugs snatched the management of debtor firms. To obtain information as well as avoid taxation and possible arrests, they developed close relationships with bureaucrats, law enforcement officers and politicians at "schools for top managers" and maintained them through bribes, parties and golf invitations.
가끔 그들은 벤처사업가로 위장하고서, 대개 내부정보와 시장조작을 통해서 돈을 재빠르게 벌어들인다. 상황이 좋지 않게 되면, 그들은 체무자 회사의 경영권을 가로챈다. 세금납부와 혹 있을 수도 있는 구속을 회피하고 정보를 입수하기 위해서, 그들은 행정관료, 사법집행관 그리고 "고위경영자대학원"에서 만난 정치인들과 밀접한 친교를 맺고, 뇌물이나 파티 골프향응등을 통해서 그들과의 관계를 계속 유지해 나간다.
Most representative of this case is the ongoing "Lee Yong-ho gate," a real-life financial scandal drama, produced by a corporate restructuring con artist and starred by almost all sectors of the establishment - the police, prosecution, administration and the political community. Linking them all was a "jopok" leader, who the opposition party says is closely associated with two of the most influential figures of the ruling party, including the eldest son of President Kim Dae-jung.
가장 대표적인 사례가 현재 진행되고 있는 소위 "이용호게이트"이다. 이 사건은 구조조정 관리 회사(이용호)가 기획하고, 경찰, 검찰, 행정부와 정치인 집단 등 거의 전 분야의 권력기관이 출연한, 실제 우리의 삶에서 발생한 금융-권력형 비리이다. 그들 모두를 연결한 것은 한 조폭인데, 그는 ,야당의 주장에 따르면, 가장 영향력있는 여권인사중 두명과 밀접한 친교를 맺고 있고, 그 두 여권인사중 한 명은 김대중 대통령의 장남이다.
Like Mafia and Triads that originated from groups to defend their community or country from oppressors but were turned into public enemy No. 1 later, the Korean gangs started to protect local commercial supremacy from the Japanese merchants in colonial days but now serve to no one's interest but their own. Totaling about 4,200 in 200 factions, some of them are reportedly being equipped with firearms like their foreign counterparts and seeking an international alliance.
압제자로부터 자신들의 지역사회와 국가를 지키려는 그룹에서 출발했지만 나중에는 공적 제1호가 되어 버린 마피아와 삼합회처럼, 한국의 조폭들도 일제의 식민지배 시기에 일본상인들로부터 우리의 상업 주권을 지키려는 의도로 활동을 시작했지만, 지금은 어느 누구의 이익을 위해서가 아니라 오로지 그들 자신만의 이익을 위해서 활동한다. 총 200개 파벌의 4200명에 달하는 조폭들중에서, 보도된 바에 따르면, 어떤 이들은 외국의 조폭들처럼 화기(총기)를 소지하고 있고, 또 국제적인 연대를 모색하고 있기도 하다.
Ironically enough, the organized crime, which kept a low profile under the stifling dictatorships, is reemerging with the democratization. Some cite the society's overall generosity toward or even admiration of - particularly among the youth - the mobs, as seen by the recent box office hits filled with brutal violence and obscenities. Despite some imitation murders, it is fair to say the moviemakers have capitalized on the social trends rather than producing them.
대단히 역설적이게도, 독재정권이 무너지면서 신상이 충분히 파악되지 않는 조폭세력들이 민주화와 함께 재출현하고 있다. 어떤이는 특히 젊은층 사이에 퍼져있는 조폭에 대한 전반적인 관대함과 심지어는 경탄(야만적인 폭력과 외설행위로 가득한 최근의 영화들이 크게 인기를 얻고 있는데서도 알 수 있듯이)을 언급하기도 한다. 모방범죄에도 불구하고, 영화제작자들이 영화를 (창조적으로) 제작했다기 보다는 사회적 경향을 추수했다고 말하는것은 정당한 일일 것이다.
It is heartening in this regard to hear the prosecution declare a war against criminal organizations. But we also have to confess we don't expect too much of it, having seen all the suspected links between crime rings and politicians and the prosecutors as the tool of both. The police reportedly experiences difficulties in tracking the thugs as the victims won't give statements. As an old saying goes, "The fists are much nearer than the law" in today's Korea.
이런 점에서, 검찰이 조직폭력배들의 범죄에 전쟁을 선포했다는 것은 고무적인 일이다. 하지만, 우리는 또한 별로 큰 기대를 하지 않는다는 것을
고백하지 않을 수 없다. 왜냐하면 이미 조폭조직과 정치인 그리고 이둘의 도구로서 검찰사이의 의심스러운 연계를 모두 보아 왔기 때문이다. 알려진 대로 경찰은 (조폭의) 희생자들이 진술을 하지 않기 때문에 조폭들을 검거하는데 어려움을 겪는다. 옛 속담대로, 지금의 우리 한국에서는 "법은 멀고 주먹은 가깝다"
(마지막 단락은 영어원문이 어디로 가버렸네요~~~)
인권과 진정한 민주주의를 강조해 온 김대중 대통령은 그것이 대단히 실망스러운 일임을 알아야 한다. 김대중 정부는 주요 선거들을 앞두고 조폭과의 전쟁을 승리로 이끌기 위해서 전력투구할 것이다. 하지만, 그것에 대해서 생각해 보면, 조폭과의 전쟁은 비단 측정 정권의 지도자만 관심 가질 문제가 아니라, 모든 정당, 사회제분야, 그리고 국민 모두 관심을 가져야 할 문제이다. 우리들은 우리 사회 내부의 폭력적인 요소들에 맞서서 감시의 고삐를 늦추지 않아야 한다. 왜냐하면 평화와 정의없는 민주주의는 아무것도 아닌 것이기 때문이다.
Italy has its Mafia, Japan has its yakuza, and China has its Triads. Here in Korea, we have "jopok" - organized crime rings. Not a day passes without people reading, hearing or watching this word on local media. The biggest blockbuster films are about gangs. In real life, too, a ringleader has even testified at the National Assembly. Gangsters are hardly new existences in this country but recent popular spotlights on them indicate how lawless and unhealthy this society has become.
One of the most noticeable - and worrisome - trends is the "upgraded" operational pattern of these mobs. Loan-sharking, one of their major income sources, is now being done through financing companies, with the core elements of exorbitant interests and violence on debtors remaining unchanged or even worsened. Likewise, those who used to supply sub-standard construction materials by force are building or remodeling apartments themselves.
Also noteworthy is the sharply expanded radius of their activities. Of course, these racketeers have not abandoned their "traditional" lines, such as extortion, kidnapping and drug trafficking as well as running bars and brothels. Increasingly, however, the black-suited hooligans with crew cuts and wide shoulders are being seen at the sites of labor disturbances and even around the stumping sessions of by- and re-elections.
What concerns us most, however, are their persistent attempts - and success to a considerable extent - to "legitimize" themselves and their activities. A recent government auction, for instance, was turned into a gathering of senior gang leaders, including some retired rogues. With the criteria of a boss' influence shifting from physical to financial power, the murky local stock market has long become the playing ground of the cash-laden ringleaders.
Sometimes disguised as venture capitalists, they made quick bucks mostly on inside information and market manipulation. When things went wrong, the thugs snatched the management of debtor firms. To obtain information as well as avoid taxation and possible arrests, they developed close relationships with bureaucrats, law enforcement officers and politicians at "schools for top managers" and maintained them through bribes, parties and golf invitations.
Most representative of this case is the ongoing "Lee Yong-ho gate," a real-life financial scandal drama, produced by a corporate restructuring con artist and starred by almost all sectors of the establishment - the police, prosecution, administration and the political community. Linking them all was a "jopok" leader, who the opposition party says is closely associated with two of the most influential figures of the ruling party, including the eldest son of President Kim Dae-jung.
Like Mafia and Triads that originated from groups to defend their community or country from oppressors but were turned into public enemy No. 1 later, the Korean gangs started to protect local commercial supremacy from the Japanese merchants in colonial days but now serve to no one's interest but their own. Totaling about 4,200 in 200 factions, some of them are reportedly being equipped with firearms like their foreign counterparts and seeking an international alliance.
Ironically enough, the organized crime, which kept a low profile under the stifling dictatorships, is reemerging with the democratization. Some cite the society's overall generosity toward or even admiration of - particularly among the youth - the mobs, as seen by the recent box office hits filled with brutal violence and obscenities. Despite some imitation murders, it is fair to say the moviemakers have capitalized on the social trends rather than producing them.
It is heartening in this regard to hear the prosecution declare a war against criminal organizations. But we also have to confess we don't expect too much of it, having seen all the suspected links between crime rings and politicians and the prosecutors as the tool of both. The police reportedly experiences difficulties in tracking the thugs as the victims won't give statements. As an old saying goes, "The fists are much nearer than the law" in today's Korea.
It is heartening in this regard to hear the prosecution declare a war against criminal organizations. But we also have to confess we don't expect too much of it, having seen all the suspected links between crime rings and politicians and the prosecutors as the tool of both. The police reportedly experiences difficulties in tracking the thugs as the victims won't give statements. As an old saying goes, "The fists are much nearer than the law" in today's Korea. It is heartening in this regard to hear the prosecution declare a war against criminal organizations. But we also have to confess we don't expect too much of it, having seen all the suspected links between crime rings and politicians and the prosecutors as the tool of both. The police reportedly experiences difficulties in tracking the thugs as the victims won't give statements. As an old saying goes, "The fists are much nearer than the law" in today's Korea.