May 21, 2014
Financial Times
Simon Mundy and Song Jung-a in Anseong
A nine-day stand-off between South Korean law authorities and members of a religious cult ended peacefully on Wednesday, concluding one of the most bizarre episodes in the aftermath of April’s Sewol ferry disaster.
Hundreds of members of the Salvation Sect had been blocking the entrance to their vast compound in Anseong, 60km south of Seoul, to prevent prosecutors from seizing Yoo Byeong-eon, a senior figure in the religious group.
Prosecutors suspect Mr Yoo wielded effective control over Chonghaejin Marine, operator of the Sewol, through holding companies controlled by his sons. Mr Yoo denies this, saying that for the past decade he has concentrated on nothing but photographic art and has had no involvement with the ferry company.
The siege was broken on Wednesday after prosecutors won permission from a court to enter the complex by force if necessary. As 25 buses filled with riot police rolled up to the compound, Lee Tae-jong, a senior member of the cult, told members carrying anti-government slogans to stand aside and allow the prosecutors to pass through. But they found no sign of Mr Yoo, whom they believe to be hiding at the home of a cult member in Seoul.
Financial Times
Simon Mundy and Song Jung-a in Anseong
A nine-day stand-off between South Korean law authorities and members of a religious cult ended peacefully on Wednesday, concluding one of the most bizarre episodes in the aftermath of April’s Sewol ferry disaster.
Hundreds of members of the Salvation Sect had been blocking the entrance to their vast compound in Anseong, 60km south of Seoul, to prevent prosecutors from seizing Yoo Byeong-eon, a senior figure in the religious group.
Prosecutors suspect Mr Yoo wielded effective control over Chonghaejin Marine, operator of the Sewol, through holding companies controlled by his sons. Mr Yoo denies this, saying that for the past decade he has concentrated on nothing but photographic art and has had no involvement with the ferry company.
The siege was broken on Wednesday after prosecutors won permission from a court to enter the complex by force if necessary. As 25 buses filled with riot police rolled up to the compound, Lee Tae-jong, a senior member of the cult, told members carrying anti-government slogans to stand aside and allow the prosecutors to pass through. But they found no sign of Mr Yoo, whom they believe to be hiding at the home of a cult member in Seoul.
