Chief of Sewol ferry operator arrested

Police officers break up a rally of civic group members of the base of the statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Plaza, central Seoul, Thursday. Members of the National Association of Parents for Charm Education called for the punishment of those responsible for the ferry Sewol’s sinking. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Kim Tae-gyu

Kim Han-sik

A joint prosecution-police investigation team arrested Kim Han-sik, CEO of Chonghaejin Marine, the operator of the ferry Sewol, Thursday, on charges of manslaughter and violating safety regulations.

He is suspected of having authorized or overlooked the overloading of cargo on the 6,825-ton ferry that capsized off the country’s southwestern coast on April 16 claiming hundreds of lives.

The Sewol was loaded with more than 3,600 tons of freight, exceeding its approved capacity by over three times. This is being blamed as the major cause of the vessel’s sinking.

To compensate for decreasing passenger revenue, investigators believe that the Sewol was regularly overloaded with cargo ever since the secondhand vessel began operating on the Incheon-Jeju route in early 2013 after a refurbishment.

The investigation is apparently closing in on Yoo Byung-eun, the de facto owner of Chonghaejin Marine.

Prosecutors also said they were seeking an arrest warrant for Yoo’s close aides including his second son Hyuk-kee, who did not respond to a third and final summons Thursday. He is regarded as Yoo’s heir apparent.

Meanwhile, prosecutors reportedly secured documents that show how Yoo controlled Chonghaejin and other affiliates, which are connected through cross investments and shareholding. Until now, Yoo’s side has downplayed his role in the management of the firms and prosecutors have struggled to find critical evidence to indict him.

Investigations into Hyuk-kee and other top aides of Yoo are expected to shed light on his involvement in the management of Chonghaejin and other affiliated companies, a critical step in the process of pressing charges against him.

Yoo is a businessman, artist and leader of a religious cult. He has been accused of controlling his business empire via his two sons, who own stakes in Chonghaejin and its related firms.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Thursday that it will revoke the license of Chonghaejin to operate the route between Incheon and Jeju Island.

It will take 10 days for the license to be revoked because the relevant law requires a hearing of that length. The ministry is also considering whether to revoke the company’s licenses for two other sea routes in the West Sea.