Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Kim Bong-hyun's Nephew...Considered Accomplice in 'Electronic Bracelet Damage' (Comprehensive)

Special Provisions for Relatives Apply to Harboring a Criminal
Co-conspirators Considered in Damage to Public Property Charges
Warrant Hearing on the 10th at 10:30 AM

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 aiding the escape of Kim Bong-hyun, 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.

The pre-arrest suspect interrogation for A is scheduled to be held at 10:30 a.m. on the 8th, presided over by Judge Kwon Ki-man, who is in charge of warrants at the Seoul Southern District Court.

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

The prosecution views A as an accomplice in the damage to the electronic device of Kim, considering the Criminal Act provision that exempts relatives who aid an escape from the crime of harboring a criminal.

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 fact 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 he was wearing 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 trial, and has been missing since.