Desperate Chung Yoo-ra ditches 10 pet dogs in Frankfurt

Chung Yoo-ra / Courtesy of Hankook Ilbo

By Ko Dong-hwan

As Korean prosecutors search for Chung Yoo-ra to question her over how much she benefited from the corruption scandal involving her mother Choi Soon-sil and President Park Geun-hye, it was reported that Chung had abandoned more than 10 pets at her German home before fleeing.

Chung reportedly stayed at a luxury hotel in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe, some 140 kilometers south of Frankfurt, from late November until early December. She did not have her 10 large dogs and a cat with her, according to TV Chosun.

“It appears that she abandoned her pets because carrying them will make her more noticeable to public eyes while on the run,” the report said, after reporters visited the hotel’s most expensive suite that Chung paid 300,000 won ($248) a day for.

Chung stayed in a luxury hotel in Karlsruhe, Germany, from late November until early December, paying $248 a day.

A Korean living in Frankfurt said an unknown person approached him last month and suggested him to “raise several large dogs.” He supposed Chung was selling her pets.

Chung is an avid animal lover, having renovated her two-story Frankfurt mansion just for her pets. A recent online photo showed her playing with a puppy.

“The fact that Chung ditched her pets, despite her particular attachment to them, proves that she was desperate and in a hurry to abscond,” the report said.

In a twist, it was revealed at a National Assembly hearing early this month that an incident involving one of Chung’s pets played a role in encouraging a key witness to give evidence about Choi’s alleged influence-peddling.

Ko Young-tae, a business partner of Choi and the former head of The Blue K, a paper company Choi set up, said he had had an argument with Choi over one of Chung’s dogs. Choi had temporarily left the dog in Ko’s care but when she found out he left it at home alone for hours, she rebuked him, treating him “inhumanely.” The incident damaged their relationship and emboldened Ko to cooperate with lawmakers and answer their questions.

Chung, who reportedly raised 10 large dogs and a cat, renovated her Frankfurt mansion just for her pets.

It is believed that at least two people are helping Chung evade authorities, including a Korean surnamed Lee who owns a gift shop for tourists in Frankfurt. The shop has been closed for the past two weeks, the report said, hinting that Lee is with Chung.

The independent counsel, led by special prosecutor Park Young-soo, asked Interpol on Tuesday to issue a “red notice” for Chung to spur her extradition to Korea. Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered Chung to hand in her passport or it will be annulled and she could be deported.

Chung, 20, a dressage competitor, faces charges of obstruction of work at Ewha Womans University. It is alleged she gained admission to the school unfairly by taking advantage of her mother's influence. She also will be questioned about favors in grading that the school allegedly gave her.

The investigative team warned on Dec. 22 that anyone helping Chung flee or destroy evidence would be regarded as an accomplice and could face criminal charges. The team had earlier secured a warrant to detain Chung and has requested cooperation from German authorities.