BEIJING, July 4 -- Chinese police on Friday repatriated a criminal suspect to the Republic of Korea (ROK), the 17th suspect Beijing has transferred to the ROK in the past year.

Police authorities of the two countries reached an agreement last June and since then, have cooperated to capture 30 suspects from both countries, the Ministry of Public Security revealed on Friday.

The ROK police have also transferred a number of suspects to China, including Lv Chuanbo, a key member of a major mafia-style gang in east China's Qingdao city.

The law enforcement cooperation has effectively curbed transnational crime, the ministry said.

The two countries will focus on telecom fraud, online gambling and drug crimes in their next phase of cooperation.