'Raim Momtong' Kim Bong-hyun's 49-Day Escape Ends... Attempted Escape from 9th Floor Upon Arrest (Comprehensive)

Former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun Arrested in Hwaseong Dongtan City

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime Asset Management scandal, was arrested in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, 49 days after fleeing. At the time of his capture, he showed resistance until the end, attempting to escape by climbing over the veranda frame of the 9th-floor apartment he was hiding in.

Heo Jeong, the second deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, announced at 6:30 p.m. on the 29th in the briefing room on the 2nd floor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office that the Criminal Division 6 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Joon-dong) apprehended Kim at around 3:57 p.m. on the 29th at a 9th-floor apartment located in Dongtan New Town, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province. Kim, who was under a revoked bail status, was taken into custody at the Southern Detention Center around 6 p.m. that day.

Immediately after Kim's escape, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office formed a dedicated investigation team of 23 members, centered around three prosecutor offices of Criminal Division 6, and received five investigators from the Supreme Court to intensify the investigation. Heo Jeong stated, "Over 49 days, we executed 50 search warrants and conducted communication analysis on more than 100 subjects' lines, focusing intensively on his escape experience and accomplices."

According to the prosecution, there was a commotion during the arrest as Kim attempted to escape through the veranda window. It is reported that the prosecution forcibly entered Kim's hiding place with the help of the fire department.

Kim has been on trial for violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement) and other charges. He is accused of embezzling 24.1 billion KRW of operating funds from the bus company Suwon Passenger, embezzling 40 billion KRW invested from Lime after acquiring Star Mobility, and embezzling 37.7 billion KRW of assets held by the Veterans' Mutual Aid Association after acquiring it. He is also charged with providing money and entertainment to political circles and prosecutors.

Kim was detained and indicted in May 2020 but was released on bail in July last year, becoming out on bail. However, on the afternoon of the 11th of last month, just before the sentencing hearing, he cut off the electronic bracelet on his wrist, which was a bail condition, near Paldang Bridge in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, and fled.

Before Kim fled, the prosecution confirmed another fraud charge against him and requested arrest warrants twice, but the court dismissed them. On October 26, about 10 days before his escape, the prosecution requested the court to revoke his bail and also submitted an opinion asking for a bail cancellation decision the day before his escape, but the court only revoked his bail after he had fled.

During the 48 days after his escape, Kim's whereabouts were unclear, raising the possibility of illegal entry into China, but the prosecution believed he remained in the country and continued the investigation. The prosecution also identified several vehicles suspected to have been used by Kim during his escape and checked the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Wanted Auto Search System (WASS).

Kim's next trial date is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 12th of next month at the Southern District Court.

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