'Raim Momtong' Kim Bonghyeon... Order to Surrender Passport of Older Sister Who Helped Escape

Kim Bong-hyun to be investigated from next month... Questioned on attempted illegal departure and more

Kim Bong-hyun Completes Warrant Hearing Related to Fraud Charges of Approximately 9 Billion Won
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accepted the 'passport invalidation measure' requested by the prosecution to pressure Kim Mo (50, residing in the United States), the elder sister who helped former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun (48), the 'Lime scandal mastermind,' to flee, to return to Korea.

On the 29th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a 'public notice due to failure to deliver the passport return order notification' regarding Kim on its website.

This is pursuant to Article 12 of the Passport Act, which allows refusal to issue or reissue passports to nationals abroad who have arrest or detention warrants issued against them.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the passport return order notification to Kim by registered mail, but after two returns, posted the public notice on the website. If Kim does not return the passport within 14 days after the 14-day public notice period starting from the 29th, the passport will lose its validity within 14 days from the end of the notice period.

Kim is accused of aiding the escape of former Chairman Kim by connecting his domestic accomplices via KakaoTalk and other means during the process when Kim cut off his electronic device and fled (charge of aiding a criminal). Based on Kim's arrest warrant issued on the 28th of last month, the prosecution requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invalidate her passport and requested Interpol to issue a red notice.

Former Chairman Kim was caught on the previous day in an apartment in Dongtan New Town, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, 48 days after his escape.

The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-dong) plans to intensively interrogate former Chairman Kim, who is currently detained at Seoul Southern Detention Center, from next month regarding the circumstances of his escape and conspiracy with accomplices.

If there is evidence that he attempted to flee overseas during the escape period, the prosecution is also considering applying additional charges. Under the Stowaway Control Act, attempted stowaway or preparatory acts for stowaway can also be punished.

The prosecution also plans to investigate the owners of the apartment where former Chairman Kim was captured to determine if there were more accomplices.

Former Chairman Kim escaped on the afternoon of the 11th of last month near Paldang Bridge in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, by cutting off the electronic bracelet he was wearing on his wrist as a condition of bail. At that time, he was awaiting the final trial after being indicted on charges of embezzling hundreds of billions of won from Suwon Passenger and Star Mobility funds, and providing money and entertainment to political circles and the prosecution.

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