A fishmonger in his 40s who threatened a neighboring vendor with a weapon after a dispute over prices at the Soraepogu General Fish Market in Incheon has been handed over to prosecutors.
The Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon said on the 14th it sent a vendor in his 40s, identified only as A, to prosecutors without detention on charges including aggravated assault and aggravated intimidation.
A is accused of threatening and assaulting a neighboring vendor in his 40s, identified as B, with a weapon at a stall in the Soraepogu General Fish Market in Namdong-gu, Incheon, at about 3 a.m. on Aug. 24 last year. A is also suspected of assaulting B's business partner, also in his 40s, who tried to stop the incident.
After receiving complaints from B and the business partner and conducting an investigation, police determined A's charges were substantiated and sent the case to prosecutors.
In a police interview, B said, "I was threatened at my store with the claim that I sell shrimp cheaper than other vendors."
At the time, B was selling shrimp at 25,000 won per kilogram. According to B, A demanded collusion, saying prices should be aligned with other vendors, and threatened B after the refusal.
A reportedly acknowledged the facts but said, "I don't remember well."
Meanwhile, the Soraepogu fish market in Incheon has faced public backlash over YouTube videos showing rip-offs and coercive sales of seafood.