Elusive Yoo known as judo master

By Ko Dong-hwan

Yoo Dae-kyun

Prosecutors are scrambling to locate Yoo Dae-kyun, one of the major shareholders of Cheonghaejin Marine, which is under an expanding investigation over the sinking of its Sewol ferry that left more than 300 dead or missing.

If they finally find the elusive Yoo, investigators may have to brace for a physical struggle. Those close to Yoo said the bulky 44-year-old is well-versed in martial arts, including judo.

The Yoo family also leads the feverish religious cult, Salvation Sect. The cult’s several hundred members have been threatening authorities they will use all means necessary to resist an investigation, which has officials concerned about the possibility of a violent encounter.

Yoo is the son of the Yoo Byung-eun, 73, the reclusive patriarch and founder of Chonghaejin, who left the majority of the company’s shares to his two sons.

An investigator from the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office visited the Salvation Sect’s Geumsuwon compound in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday in search of Yoo and his father.

It was notable that the investigator was flanked by a group of bodyguards in case things got physical. Salvation Sect followers formed a blockade in front of Geumsuwon to prevent the investigators from entering the property.