Missing for Six Days... "Kim Bong-hyun, Golden Time for Arrest is Running Out"

Sufficient Funding, Increased Possibility of Stowaway Attempts

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The whereabouts of Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime Asset Management redemption suspension scandal that caused damage worth about 1.6 trillion won, remain unknown six days after his escape. The prosecution, which is pursuing Kim, has yet to pinpoint his location. Experts advise that the so-called "golden time" to capture Kim, who is suspected of stowing away, is running out.

On the 11th, Kim cut off his electronic tracking device (electronic bracelet) near Paldang Bridge in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, and fled. During his escape, he swapped SIM cards with his nephew and removed the memory card from his nephew’s vehicle black box, revealing meticulous premeditation.

Kim, who has a previous record of fleeing, is increasingly suspected of stowing away. He had sufficient financial resources to choose escape over forfeiting a 300 million won bail deposit and 6 billion won in seized assets. In 2019, before his detention hearing, he had experience living as a fugitive alongside former Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil. That same year, while under investigation for providing money and entertainment to political circles and prosecutors, he even used a chartered plane to help a key associate, Kim Mo, flee to a third country.

Experts believe the window to capture Kim is either closing or has already closed. Given his ample financial resources and careful planning, the possibility that he has already stowed away overseas cannot be ruled out. Professor Lee Woong-hyuk of Konkuk University’s Department of Police Science emphasized, “Although times have changed, stowing away is still possible depending on money, information, and manpower. We must analyze Kim’s communication network to quickly find connections related to his escape.”

In response, the prosecution has cooperated with the Korea Coast Guard to deploy patrol vessels from coast guard stations in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province; Boryeong, Chungnam; Gunsan and Buan, Jeonbuk; Mokpo, Jeonnam; Busan; and Ulsan. However, no vessels suspected of attempting stowaway have been found so far. The prosecution believes that if Kim chooses to stow away, he is likely to attempt to flee to Japan via the southern coast or to China via the western coast. They are also not ruling out the possibility that he may hire a large cargo ship through stowaway brokers to escape to Southeast Asian countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.