Prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for mixed martial arts fighter Choi Hong-man on Monday for allegedly not repaying millions of won to acquaintances.
Choi, 35, has ignored summonses several times.
According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the former traditional Korean wrestling "ssireum" champion allegedly borrowed one million won from a friend, surnamed Park in Hong Kong in December 2013.
Choi also borrowed 25 million won from another friend, surname Moon, last October.
Moon and Park took legal action against Choi for fraud after he failed to repay the money on time. Moon later withdrew his claim.
Choi has been staying in Japan, local reports say.
Choi debuted in K-1 in 2005 to become a top-level fighter. Known as the"Techno Goliath, the 2.17-meter fighter famously beat K-1 legend Bob Sapp at the K-1 Grand Prix in Osaka in 2005.