Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Kim Bong-hyun's Nephew...Considered Accomplice in Electronic Bracelet Tampering

Former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun leaving his home in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the day of his escape. Photo by Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution has arrested and is investigating A, the nephew accused of assisting the escape of Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and the main culprit in the 'Lime Scandal.'

On the 7th, the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-dong) requested an arrest warrant for A on charges of damaging public property.

The prosecution arrested A on the 5th, questioned him about Kim's whereabouts before and after the escape, and, deeming detention necessary, submitted a request for an arrest warrant to the court on the same day.

A is considered a key accomplice of former chairman Kim, appearing together in closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage on the day of the escape.

Considering the Criminal Act provision that exempts relatives who assist an escape from being charged with harboring a criminal, the prosecution regards A as an accomplice in damaging Kim's electronic device.

The Seoul Probation Office of the Ministry of Justice requested a police investigation on charges of damaging public property, specifically the electronic device, immediately after Kim cut off the electronic bracelet attached as a bail condition.

This reflects the circumstance that, unlike violent criminals such as sex offenders, murderers, robbers, and kidnappers, there is no clear punishment clause for defendants released on bail who cut off electronic devices.

Meanwhile, Kim cut off the electronic bracelet worn on his wrist as a bail condition near Paldang Bridge in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 11th of last month, just before the sentencing hearing, and has been missing since then.