Two foreign nationals busted for illegally selling used cars to undocumented migrants
Published: 23 Apr. 2026, 14:04
Updated: 23 Apr. 2026, 14:30
![An AI-generated image of an illegal car sale [CHATGPT]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/23/5e97c136-e28c-4845-84ea-a781567cab9e.jpg)
An AI-generated image of an illegal car sale [CHATGPT]
Two foreign nationals have been caught illegally selling hundreds of used cars to undocumented migrants in Korea, authorities said Wednesday, in a case that highlights a growing underground market targeting vulnerable foreign residents.
An Uzbek national and a Kazakh national were referred to the prosecution by investigative units at the Korea Immigration Service and the Seoul Immigration Office on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control Act.
The case came to light after authorities stepped up monitoring of used-car sales advertisements on social media platforms, where promotions targeting foreign buyers have proliferated in recent years. Investigators said they identified a pattern of postings aimed at undocumented migrants and other foreign nationals with limited access to licensed car dealerships.
The Uzbek suspect is accused of running the operation since 2021, when he was in Korea on a student visa, before bringing in the Kazakh accomplice in early 2024 to expand the business.
The two allegedly split roles, with one handling vehicle purchases and price negotiations, and the other managing social media advertising and delivery.
Despite holding visas that restrict income-generating activities, the pair sold around 370 used vehicles between January 2024 and November 2025, earning between 200,000 won ($145) and 1 million won per car, according to investigators.
Nine of the vehicles were so-called ghost cars — registered under the names of foreign nationals who had already left the country — and sold on to buyers whose identities could not be traced.
Authorities said dozens of unpaid vehicle taxes had accumulated on those cars, while the individuals whose names were used for registration were left facing penalties and fines without their knowledge.
“Illegally distributing used vehicles to foreigners, including ghost cars that could be used for criminal purposes, is a serious offense that threatens public safety,” said an official from the investigative unit. “We will thoroughly track down such activities and do our utmost to eradicate them.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PARK JONG-SUH [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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