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Cobras, even crocodiles… International endangered species smuggling ring uncovered

On-site photo gallery

Cobras, even crocodiles… International endangered species smuggling ring uncovered

입력 2026.08.06 19:12

By Moon Jae-Won

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On the 6th, Criminal Division 2, the environment-dedicated department of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office, announced that it had uncovered an international endangered species smuggling ring and seized 95 wild animals. The photo shows the wild animal shelter at the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, South Chungcheong, on that day. Seocheon|Moon Jae-Won

At a press conference held that day at the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, South Chungcheong, Prosecutor Kim Dong-won of Criminal Division 2 at the Eastern District Prosecutors Office stated that the alleged mastermind, identified as A, had been indicted in custody on suspicion of violating the Wildlife Act, and that four others, including the smuggling operative identified as B, had been indicted without detention.

Trade in internationally endangered species is strictly prohibited under the international convention (CITES).

Cobras, even crocodiles… International endangered species smuggling ring uncovered [On-site photo gallery]

On the 6th, Criminal Division 2, the environment-dedicated department of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office, announced that it had uncovered an international endangered species smuggling ring and seized 95 wild animals. The photo shows a seized monocled cobra under protection at the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon that day. Seocheon|Moon Jae-Won

On the 6th, Criminal Division 2, the environment-dedicated department of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office, announced that it had uncovered an international endangered species smuggling ring and seized 95 wild animals. The photo shows Yang Hee-hyun, a section chief in the Animal Protection Division, inspecting the facilities at the wild animal shelter of the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon that day. Seocheon|Moon Jae-Won

Prosecutor Kim Dong-won of Criminal Division 2 at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office gives a briefing at the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, South Chungcheong, on the 6th regarding the uncovering of an international endangered species smuggling ring. Seocheon|Moon Jae-Won