The Chuncheon District Public Prosecutor's Office arrested an unemployed man identified as Choi (31) on charges of conspiracy to kidnap the athlete’s 62-year-old father for ransom. Police arrested Choi on Sunday evening. He allegedly planned to demand W2 billion (US$1=W939) and made meticulous plans for the kidnapping.

After choosing a house in Gyeonggi Province to hold Park’s father, he went about preparing two license plates, masks and handcuffs, a wig, and 10 cell phones, and after learning his intended victim’s cell phone and house phone numbers, surveyed Park’s house and planned his escape route, prosecutors say. He also drew up a list of tasks involved, from the abduction itself to transporting the money.

Choi set up an online forum that he named “Seeking Partner in Crime,” and attempted to recruit an associate through e-mail and other means. He reportedly planned the crime to pay off debts of W100 million from a failed attempt to set up a gaming emporium.

(englishnews@chosun.com )