By Lee Kyung-min
Police are seeking cooperation with Interpol to locate Coko Entertainment co-CEO Kim Woo-jong, who fled to the United States in November last year after allegedly embezzling hundreds of millions of won in company funds.
Dozens of popular comedians, including Kim Joon-ho, Lee Kook-ju and Kim Dae-hee, belong to the entertainment company, established in May 2011. Kim Joon-ho is one of two CEOs.
Police said they have put the suspect on the wanted list. A court issued an arrest warrant for Kim on Monday.
"We will ask Interpol to help him detain Kim who is hiding in the U.S.," said an officer from Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station.
On Dec. 18, a group of Coko employees and the comedians filed a complaint with the police, claiming that Kim fled after embezzling hundreds of millions of won in company funds.
Before leaving the country, Kim filed for personal bankruptcy at Seoul Southern District Court, after suffering financial losses from his restaurant business.
Kim's creditors include Ourhome, a food company, and MPK, the operator of Mr. Pizza, according to police.
He did not pay salaries to many Coko workers for months before taking a flight. The embezzled money includes billions of won that the comedians received from advertisement contracts.
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Kim Woo-jong |
Dozens of popular comedians, including Kim Joon-ho, Lee Kook-ju and Kim Dae-hee, belong to the entertainment company, established in May 2011. Kim Joon-ho is one of two CEOs.
Police said they have put the suspect on the wanted list. A court issued an arrest warrant for Kim on Monday.
"We will ask Interpol to help him detain Kim who is hiding in the U.S.," said an officer from Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station.
On Dec. 18, a group of Coko employees and the comedians filed a complaint with the police, claiming that Kim fled after embezzling hundreds of millions of won in company funds.
Before leaving the country, Kim filed for personal bankruptcy at Seoul Southern District Court, after suffering financial losses from his restaurant business.
Kim's creditors include Ourhome, a food company, and MPK, the operator of Mr. Pizza, according to police.
He did not pay salaries to many Coko workers for months before taking a flight. The embezzled money includes billions of won that the comedians received from advertisement contracts.
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