I want to report extortion and threat — how should I do it?

There is no separate crime called "extortion and threat" in law.

Extortion and threat are classified as separate independent crimes.

As in the situation you asked about, if threats or intimidation were made to obtain monetary benefits, the crime of extortion may apply, and the crime of threat may also be established by the act of threat itself.

The crime of extortion applies when someone threatens a person to receive property or obtain property benefits, and under Article 350 of the Criminal Act, is subject to imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

The important legal standard here is that the 'threat' in the crime of extortion must go beyond mere rudeness or unpleasantness and constitute notification of harm sufficient to scare a person to the extent of restricting their freedom of decision-making or obstructing their freedom of action.

This is one of the constitutive requirements of the crime of extortion clearly recognized through Supreme Court precedent.

On the other hand, the crime of threat is established when one notifies the other party of the intent to harm them, causing psychological pressure or fear.

Under Article 283 of the Criminal Act, it can be subject to imprisonment of up to 3 years, a fine of up to 5 million won, custody, or a minor fine.

Therefore, if you have received such threats or intimidation, it is important to promptly report to the police and secure related evidence (text messages, calls, recordings, videos, witness statements, etc.) as much as possible.

In addition, in preparation for cases of continuous visits, it can also be helpful for damage prevention to strengthen personal protection through security services.

For legal response and personal protection, we recommend requesting consultation with attorneys experienced in extortion and threat cases and law firms providing security services.