[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A former executive of Suwon Passenger, a bus company in the Gyeonggi region, who is accused of embezzling company funds in collusion with Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility (46), identified as the mastermind behind the 'Lime Scandal,' has been detained.
Judge Jung Yoon-seop of the Suwon District Court held a pre-trial detention hearing (warrant review) on the 25th for Kim (42), the former CFO of Suwon Passenger, and issued an arrest warrant. Judge Jung explained the reason for the issuance, citing "concerns of evidence destruction and flight risk."
Kim is accused of embezzling 24.1 billion KRW of Suwon Passenger's company funds and fleeing in collusion with former chairman Kim from October 2018 to January last year. Before the Suwon Passenger's complaint was filed, Kim fled overseas in January last year and was on the run in places such as China. He surrendered to the Cambodian Immigration Office on the 12th and was arrested upon his return to Korea on the 23rd.
Earlier, on the 19th, former chairman Kim was indicted on the same charges. Kim, a key figure in the Lime Asset Management scandal that caused damages amounting to about 1.6 trillion KRW, is currently under investigation at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office.
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