By Chung Hyun-chae
A fugitive aide to Yoo Byung-eun, the late owner of the sunken ferry Sewol, has been apprehended in the United States on charges of violating U.S. immigration laws by holding an expired passport, according to Korean law enforcement authorities, Friday.
Kim Hye-kyung, 52, CEO of Korea Pharmaceuticals and one of the closest aides to the former Semo Group chairman, has been on the prosecution’s wanted list since the sinking of the Sewol on April 16, as she was allegedly involved in the management of group affiliates and handling of Yoo’s slush fund.
The Ministry of Justice said Friday that Kim was detained by U.S. law enforcement authorities at a shopping mall in McLean, Virginia, on Thursday (local time).
Kim is considered to be one of the most important confidants in that she is known to have managed the properties and assets of the family of the late Yoo.
The Seoul Prosecution office suspects her to be deeply involved in the management of Chonghaejin Marine and other Semo Group affiliates owned by the family.
Yoo had frequently mentioned, while alive, that “If Kim betrays our family, we will go down,” according to prosecutors.
With Yoo’s money handler under arrest, the process of retrieving Yoo’s disputed property will likely accelerate.
The prosecutors and the justice ministry have closely cooperated with the Department of Homeland Security to chase down Kim and Yoo’s other associates who are allegedly hiding in the U.S. to avoid Korean authorities.
Kim is expected to be sent back to South Korea if the U.S. government deports her in accordance with an extradition treaty between the two countries, ministry officials said.
“We will be putting the utmost effort to bring her back to Korea as soon as possible,” the official added.
Some of Yoo's aides and family members fled the country and are still overseas, prompting the prosecution to request Interpol’s assistance in apprehending them.
Currently Yoo's daughter, Som-na, is fighting an extradition bid from Paris, and his second son, Hyuk-ki, who is hiding overseas, is facing corruption charges.