Stranger Things

This is a recreation of several threads on my old site that contained hundreds of links as well as some comments by current and former members of Yoo Byung-eun's church. Copying everything across will be too time consuming, so I'll concentrate on a chronological list of links and then perhaps add more details afterwards. (August 27, 2018)


April 19: Offices of Sewol Owner Searched (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2988141) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

QuoteWhile President Park Geun-hye and the prime minister visited the scene of the accident, the owners of the marine company have not appeared in public.

The owners, reported to be a 42-year-old surnamed Yoo and his brother have not responded at all to the ferry crisis. The two owners are sons of Yoo Byeong-eon, former CEO of the bankrupt Semo ferry cruise company, which operated boat trips on the Han River in Seoul until 1997.

Yoo Byeong-eon was an evangelical pastor in Korea and a member of a religious cult, making him a suspect in the cult's 1987 mass suicide-murder.

April 19: South Korea Ferry Disaster: Third Mate At Wheel Was Navigating Route For First Time (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/southkorea/10776250/South-Korea-ferry-disaster-third-mate-at-wheel-was-navigating-route-for-first-time.html) (The Telegraph)

April 21: Did Sewol Third Mate Lie to Rescue Services? (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/04/21/2014042101354.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

April 21: Key Suspects Revealed in Deadly Sewol Sinking (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140421001183) (The Korea Herald)

April 22: Company That Owned Doomed South Korean Ferry Has Checkered Past (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/south-korea-ferry-company_n_5191036.html) (Huffington Post)

April 22: Chonghaejin Marine's 'Real' Owner Hunted (//http://) (The Korea Times)

QuoteLast week, the Justice Ministry banned Yoo and Kim Han-sik, CEO of Chonghaejin Marine, from traveling overseas.

Yoo reportedly was a friend of former President Chun Doo-hwan. Thanks to this relationship, he ran Semo Marine, which operated ferries on the Han River until it went bankrupt.

He was also known as a pastor who led a Christian cult. He was sentenced to four years in prison in 1992 in connection with a mass suicide case, in which 32 followers of a different cult were found dead in a factory in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The cult's leader, Park Soon-ja, had close ties with Yoo.

April 23: Former Semo Group CEO, 2 Sons Investigated (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988304&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

April 23: Prosecution Raid Sunken Ferry Operator & Affiliates (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140423003455315) (Yonhap News)

April 23: Korean Ferry Boat Owner Has Checkered Past To Include Being Suspected of a Prior Mass Murder (https://web.archive.org/web/20140428033038/http://rokdrop.com/2014/04/23/korean-ferry-boat-owner-has-checked-past-to-include-being-suspected-of-a-prior-mass-murder/) (ROK Drop - Archived)

Next, a few articles about that earlier mass suicide:

Aug. 30, 1987: Mass Murder in S. Korea May Be Tied to Cult, Swindle (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-30-mn-4994-story.html) (The LA Times)

33 Bodies Found In Attic After Apparent Murder-Suicide Pact (https://apnews.com/ad93eedacb89524018ecbec4a1cf9f5c) (Associated Press)


The leader, Park Soon-ja, made this list of the ten creepiest cults, (https://web.archive.org/web/20131021133405/http://www.smashinglists.com/top-10-creepiest-cult-leaders/) coming in at number eight and the only Korean to make the list.

QuoteOne of the hallmarks of a cult leader is that they often take the role of parent to their followers – who have often been cut off from their own parents. Park Soon-ja, of the Paradise cult, was a prime example of this, as her disciples called her "Benevolent Mother". She preached that the end of the world was nigh, but that she knew a way for her disciples to get to heaven without dying. She lived with her followers in her factory in Yongin, South Korea and they made Korean ornaments and toys for tourists. They rarely ventured out of the forest.

Trouble started brewing in 1987 in the form of a $8.7m fraud investigation, and on August 29th, Park Soon-ja, her 3 grown-up children, and 28 others were found dead inside the factory. They had been drugged and strangled in what appeared to be a mass suicide. And so ended the reign of Korea's most notorious cult leader.

Before I continue, this rebuttal statement appears at the bottom of quite a few English articles published in Korea.

Quote
The Korea JoongAng Daily, regarding the reports since April 16, 2014, about the Evangelical Baptist Church (EBC) and Yoo Byung-eun, is publishing the following corrections and an excerpt from the rebuttal statement by the EBC.

Correction & Rebuttal Statement by the Evangelical Baptist Church

Through three past investigations by the prosecution, it has been revealed that Yoo and the EBC, also known as the "Salvation Group" and Guwonpa in Korean, are not related to the Odaeyang mass suicide incident. That was also confirmed by the prosecution in its official statement on May 21. The prosecution's investigation also found that Yoo had not made an attempt to smuggle himself out of the country or seek political asylum in France. We, therefore, correct the concerned reports.

Yoo retired from his executive management position in 1997. He did not own any shares in the noted companies, nor had he managed operations or used the operating funds for personal reasons. There are no grounds to call him the actual owner and chairman of the company. As such, he did not provide any directives in regards to the overloading of the Sewol ferry or its renovation.

It was verified that the captain and crew members who abandoned ship at the time of the Sewol ferry accident are not members of the EBC. It has also been verified that the EBC does not own any shares of Chonghaejin Marine Company and did not engage in its management.

Rebuttal statement

The EBC's position is that the museums in the United States and Europe can never authorize an exhibition unless the artistic value of an artist's works is recognized by the screening committee, irrespective of the amount of money an artist donates. The EBC's position is that the exhibitions were not a result of Mr. Yoo's patronage or donation, and Yoo also has not coerced Chonghaejin and its affiliates to purchase his photos.

The EBC states that Yoo did not participate in the foundation of the EBC in 1981, and the church does not offer him the title "pastor." It also says a significant part of the 240 billion won ($206 million) worth of assets suspected of belonging to the Yoo family are real estate properties owned by the farming associations, which had been established by church members.

The EBC states that there are certain churches in Korea that call the EBC a cult, solely based on differences between their's and the EBC's doctrines. But the EBC does not worship a particular individual as a religious sect leader or preach any doctrine that contradicts the Bible.

I haven't watched this recently, but I recall it contains some details that doesn't exactly support some of the assertions mentioned above. I will post some quotes when I find the time.

Note: Dr Ji-il Tark is interviewed, and I have a thread featuring articles he's quoted in, (https://peterdaley.net/strangerthings/index.php?topic=135.0) as well as some details about his father history.

Aug. 2014: The Sewol Tragedy: Searching for Answers

Back to a chronological list of English language articles:


April 24:
Ferry Operator is Raided by Prosecutors (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988369&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Ctop) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Prosecution Looks Into Cult in Ferry Accident Probe (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140424005500315) (Yonhap News)

QuoteProsecutors said they are analyzing accounting books seized from the church, suspecting that the religious group has exercised influence over the company's management.

The church was established by chief Yoo's father-in-law, Kwon Sin-chan, in the 1960s and is led by Yoo. It is considered as a cult with some 20,000 followers, including most of the senior officials of Cheonghaejin's affiliates and most of the Sewol's crew.

Yoo was also previously a member of the religious cult called Odaeyang, making him a suspect in the cult's 1987 mass suicide-murder. More than 30 people from his group were found dead, bound and gagged in a factory outside of Seoul. Investigators, however, found no evidence tying the event to Yoo.

April 24: Irregularities, Incompetence Led to Ferry Disaster (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/04/24/2014042401245.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

QuoteThe Sewol was scheduled to leave Incheon at 6:30 p.m. on April 15. But other ships decided to remain in port that evening due to thick fog. Leaving port more than two hours past schedule, the Sewol was the only ship to sail out of Incheon that evening.

Once it got the green light to leave, the Sewol was overloaded with cargo, carrying 3,608 tons including large trailers, excavators, forklifts and passenger cars as against the permissible limit of 987 tons.

The crew are required to fasten cargo tightly, but that was largely ignored. The Sewol left port at 9 p.m., about 3 minutes after the last passenger got on board, which shows the crew did not spend much time securing the cargo. This excess cargo is largely believed to have caused the ferry to capsize.

The aging Sewol was an accident waiting to happen. ...

April 24: Ferry Firm's Money Trail Traced (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/04/488_156058.html) (The Korea Times)

QuoteAccording to the prosecution, Yoo's firms hired mostly the cult's members and their sons and daughters. None of them have open recruitment programs.

Most of Sewol's crewmembers, including the captain, Lee Joon-seok, are said to be members of the cult. Lee and a dozen other crewmembers were arrested for deserting the ship without taking measures to save the passengers.

April 24: Cult Linked to Ferry Mogul Probed (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140424001313&mod=skb)(The Korea Herald)

QuoteAlong with Yoo, many senior employees of Chonghaejin Marine including the captain of the doomed ferry are devout members of the Salvation Sect. Investigators suspect that the sect is a financial foundation for Yoo and his business entities.

Reports said that Yoo began his businesses to help members of his religious group to gain jobs and to increase his personal wealth. He reportedly made business funds from church members' offerings and investments, and took out loans with his church's real estates being held as collateral.

The sect was established in the 1960s by Pastor Kwon Sin-chan, Yoo's father-in-law. It has been divided into three offshoots including the Evangelical Baptist Church.

The sect has some 100 churches in Korea and about 200,000 members worldwide. Unlike other Christian organizations, the group is alleged to focus little on repentance ― a reason why it is seen as a heretical cult.

Speculation is rampant that loyal members of the sect have been engaged in a large pyramid sales scheme. Investigators have raided the headquarters of Dapanda, a multilayered marketing firm employing loyalists from the sect.

With nearly 60 branches across the country, Dapanda sells various items ranging from cosmetics to health food and kitchen products. The firm is thought to have thrived and secured stable marketing routes with backing from the sect's devout members.

April 24: Investigations Into the South Korea Ferry Disaster Reveal a Litany of Errors (http://time.com/74967/south-korea-ferry-sewol-chonghaejin-investigation/) (Time)

QuoteAccording to Chonghaejin's audit report for last year, the company spent just $521 on crew training, including evacuation drills. By comparison, a competitor, Daea Express Shipping, spent 20 times that amount.

Infidel Sewol Captain & Sailors Devout Guwon Faithfuls (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/04/511_156055.html) (The Korea Times)

April 25: Bodies of 48 Girls Found Crammed in One Cabin (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2612821/Fury-cargo-questions-surround-sunken-SKorea-ferry.html) (Daily Mail)

April 25: Cult Linked to S Korean Ferry Mogul Probed (http://web.archive.org/web/20140428141012/http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/cult-linked-s-korean-ferry-mogul-probed) (News Asia One / Internet Archive)

QuoteReports said that Yoo began his businesses to help members of his religious group to gain jobs and to increase his personal wealth. He reportedly made business funds from church members' offerings and investments, and took out loans with his church's real estates being held as collateral.

The sect was established in the 1960s by Pastor Kwon Sin-chan, Yoo's father-in-law. It has been divided into three offshoots including the Evangelical Baptist Church.

The sect has some 100 churches in Korea and about 200,000 members worldwide. Unlike other Christian organisations, the group is alleged to focus little on repentance ― a reason why it is seen as a heretical cult.

Speculation is rampant that loyal members of the sect have been engaged in a large pyramid sales scheme. Investigators have raided the headquarters of Dapanda, a multilayered marketing firm employing loyalists from the sect.

April 25: Ferry Operator's Owner Ready to Give Away Fortune (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/04/25/2014042501240.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

QuoteA lawyer representing Yoo Byung-eon told the Chosun Ilbo on Thursday that reports that Yoo's assets total W240 billion are not true and he is only worth around W10 billion. ... Son said Yoo, a former chairman of Chonghaejin, has nonetheless "voiced his willingness to donate his entire W10 billion estate due to his deep sorrow for those who lost their lives aboard the Sewol."

April 25: Salvation Sect' Suspected of Backing Yoo's Business (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/04/113_156136.html) (The Korea Times)

QuoteWhile serving as a pastor in the 1970s, he established a toy company and practically forced members of the "salvation sect" to work there under poor working conditions. In a recent media interview, Chung Dong-seop, a former believer in the sect, said that Yoo preached that members would please God if they worked for the company run by the church.

"Their working conditions were miserable. They worked long hours but received a tenth of the wages of the average workers at that time. Yoo accumulated a considerable amount of money by exploiting his workers and the fortune he earned like this was used as seed money for the construction of his business empire," said Chung,who is now a pastor.

April 28: J.Y Park Addresses Religion, Wife's Uncle as the Owner of the Sewol Ferry & Rumors of Illegal Funding (https://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/04/jy-park-addresses-religion-that-his-wifes-uncle-is-the-owner-of-the-sewol-ferry-rumors-of-illegal-funding) (All K-Pop)

April 29: Chief of Sunken Ferry Operator Grilled Over Corruption Allegations (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2014/04/29/82/0302000000AEN20140429001452315F.html) (Yonhap News)

April 29: Family That Owned Ferry Probed From All Directions (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988581) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

April 29: JYP Dispels Rumors of Illegal Activities (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988530) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

April 30: Ferry Owner's Close Aide Grilled Over Corruption Allegations (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140430004300315) (Yonhap News)

May 1: South Korean Authorities Search Ferry Owner's Offices as Probe Widens (https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/23/world/asia/south-korea-ship-sinking/index.html) (CNN)

May 2: Coast Guard Gave Special Treatment to Ferry Captain (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/05/02/2014050201345.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

May 2: Owner Family of Sunken Ferry Snubs Prosecution Summons (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2014/05/02/0200000000AEN20140502003200315.html) (Yonhap News)

May 3: Veteran Actress Linked to Sewol Corruption Probe (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988738) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 3: It is Not True That The Sewol's captain is Unrelated to the Salvation Sect (http://www.kukmindaily.co.kr/article/view.asp?page=&gCode=7111&arcid=0008292344&code=71111101) (The Kukmin Daily)

May 7: Sewol Operator Logged Most Accidents Over 5 years (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140507006751315) (Yonhap News)

May 8: Chief of Sunken Ferry Operator Arrested for Questioning (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2014/05/08/60/0302000000AEN20140508002051315F.html) (Yonhap News)

May 8: Chief of Sewol Ferry Operator Arrested (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_156840.html) (The Korea Times)

Owners Sunken Of South Korean Ferry Linked To Mass Cult Suicide (https://theweek.com/speedreads/453601/owners-sunken-south-korean-ferry-linked-mass-cult-suicide) (The Week)

May 9: Investigators Confirm Ownership of Ferry Operator (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/05/09/2014050901411.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

May 9: Evidence Against Yoo Discovered (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988911)  (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 9: Yoo May Face Homicide Charges (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_156891.html) (The Korea Times)

May 9: Tip-off of Ferry Tragedy Raid Probed (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988910) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 10: Pay Stub Sheds Light on Yoo Salary (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2988944) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 11: Brother & Aide of Ferry Firm Owner Grilled Over Corruption (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140511000365) (The Korea Herald)

May 11: Prosecutors to Question Eldest Son of Sunken Ferry's Owner (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2014/05/11/12/0302000000AEN20140511002400315F.html) (Yonhap News)

May 11: Yoo's Eldest Son to be Called In (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_156947.html) (The Korea Times)

May 12: Former Politician Questioned in Case Against Yoo (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988997) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 12: Eldest Son of Sunken Ferry Owner Snubs Prosecution Summons (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140512003551315) (Yonhap News)

May 12: Yoo's Children all Snub Prosecution's Summonses (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_157022.html) (The Korea Times)

May 13: The Absconding Yoos (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2014/05/13/editorials/The-absconding-Yoos/2989128.html) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 14: Elusive Yoo Family Stumps Investigators (https://web.archive.org/web/20140516203746/http://theinsidekorea.com/2014/05/elusive-yoo-family-stumps-investigators/) (Inside Korea - Internet Archive)

May 14: Eldest Son of Sunken Ferry Operator's Owner Put on Wanted List (http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=102569) (KBS World Radio)

May 15: Ferry Owner Cult Members Barricade Compound (http://english.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/05/15/2014051501308.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

May 15: Sect Rebels Against Hunt for Owner of The Sewol (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2989176) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 16: Another Arrest Sought in Hunt for South Korean Ferry Operator Owner (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkoreaferry/another-arrest-sought-in-hunt-for-south-korean-ferry-operator-owner-idUSBREA4F06L20140516) (Reuters)

May 16: Arrest Warrant Sought on Yoo (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_157343.html) (The Korea Times)

May 16: 4 of Sewol's Crew Charged With Type of Homicide (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989244) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 16: Owner of Sunken Ferry a No-Show in Court (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/113_157309.html)(The Korea Times)

May 18: Tension Escalating in Geumsuwon (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_157424.html) (The Korea Times)

May 19: Ferry Owner Suspected of Lobbying Politicians (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140519001270) (The Korea Herald)

QuoteYoo Byung-eon, the owner of the sunken Sewol ferry's operator, is suspected of lobbying politicians or government officials by providing them with premium golf clubs as a kickback, prosecutors said Monday.

According to the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, Yoo, former chairman of the now-defunct Semo Group, allegedly used one of his in-laws as a lobbying activity channel.

The allegation included that the person in question, a company chief, reportedly purchased some 100 golf clubs, together worth 5 billion won ($4.7 million), at a store in Seoul between 2007 and 2010.

The prosecution recently raided the person's residence and the golf equipment retailer to seize a variety of documents such as accounting records, hard disks and golf club sales records.

While the prosecution grilled Yoo's in-law and the golf store owner via a summons, both of them reportedly denied the allegation.

Nonetheless, the prosecution has not ruled out the possibility that the golf clubs were given as bribes to high-profile officials in politics, government ministries and financial authorities.

The investigation is also looking into the allegation that Yoo and his close confidants stashed away assets of Semo Group after intentionally inducing the group to financial insolvency in 1997, and then buying back core subsidiaries including automobile and shipbuilding firms.

Ex-senior policymakers or lawmakers could have been implicated in the group management's asset repurchasing process, according to prosecutors.

There are speculations that Semo Group had cozy relations with former President Chun Doo-hwan, who took power in a coup in 1979.

Yoo and his friendly powers have also been suspected of offering kickbacks to financial regulatory officials in exchange for garnering financial firms' approval of huge loans.

The Financial Supervisory Service said commercial banks and other secondary financial firms issued combined loans worth 400 billion won to Chonghaejin Marine Co., the operator of the ill-fated Sewol ferry, and dozens of its affiliates.

The prosecution is also looking into the allegation that Yoo had sought influence in the process of revising the nation's shipping act.

May 19: Yoo is Not Religious Leader (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_157465.html) (The Korea Times)

May 20: Families of Sewol Victims Monitored by Police (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/05/116_157520.html) (The Korea Times)

This is significant, so I'm not sure why the original link is dead.
May 20: Yoo Directed Sewol Remodeling, Testimony Says (https://web.archive.org/web/20141118010513/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989414) (Korea JoongAng Daily/Internet Archive)

QuoteProsecutors have obtained a testimony stating that Yoo Byung-eun, the patriarch of the family that allegedly controls the sunken Sewol ferry operator, was in charge of restructuring the 6,825-ton vessel, reported the JoongAng Ilbo, citing a senior prosecutor.

The joint investigation team of police and prosecutors confirmed last Thursday that the overloading and remodeling of the ship compromised its ability to maintain stability during the time of the accident.

Chonghaejin Marine Company, the operator, carried out the remodeling between October 2012 and February 2013 to increase the Sewol's number of passenger cabins by dividing the fourth deck into two floors. In the process of adding another floor, Chonghaejin raised the deck's height by 50 centimeters (19.7 inches).

Ahn Gi-hyeon, a detained employee of Chonghaejin who was in charge of the refurbishment, reportedly testified that he carried out the expansion under the direction of Yoo.

He said that the newly built fifth floor was mainly used as an exhibition hall for photographs shot by the 73-year-old, while the fourth floor was turned into passenger cabins.

May 21: Sewol's Owner Still on the Run (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989474) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 22: Manhunt for Patriarch, Sons Over Ferry (https://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2014/05/22/south-korea-manhunt-for-patriarch-sons-over-sunken-ferry/) (Wall Street Journal)

May 22: Yoo Uses Wikipedia as Disinformation Tool (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20140522/yoo-uses-wikipedia-as-disinformation-tool) (The Korea Times)

May 22: Sewol Owner Put on Wanted List (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989474) (Yonhap News)

May 23: Hunt Begins for Yoos' Assets Abroad (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2989596) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 23: Reward Offered for Missing South Korea Ferry Owner (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/reward-offered-for-missing-south-korea-ferry-owner) (Washington Examiner)

May 23: Police on Hunt For "Fugitive" Sewol Ferry Owner (Arirang News):


May 25: Sects, Money & Tragedy Have History in Korea (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2014/05/25/socialAffairs/Sects-money-and-tragedy-have-history-in-Korea/2989684.html) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 26: Reward for South Korea Ferry Owner Upped to $500,000 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-26/skorea-reward-upped/5478862?pfmredir=sm&pfm=ms) (ABC Australia)

May 26: Four Arrested for Helping Yoo Escape (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989686) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 27: Cult Linked to Ferry Firm Resists Law (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140514001293) (The Korea Herald)

May 28: FSS Seeks to Freeze Sewol Cash Flows (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140528001641) (The Korea Herald)

May 28: Creditors Set To Collect Loans Extended to Sewol Affiliates (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140528002900320) (Yonhap News)

May 29: Daughter of Korean Businessman Wanted in Ferry Disaster Arrested (https://time.com/134753/sewol-daughter-arrested-yoo-som-na/) (Time)

May 31: Second Private Company Diver Dies in Ferry Search (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989949) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 2: Prosecution Suspects Information Leaks Aided Ferry Owner's Getaway (http://khnews.kheraldm.com/view.php?ud=20140602001618&md=20140603003113_BK) (The Korea Herald)

June 3: Fugitive Sewol Owner Tries to Seek Asylum (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140603004100315) (Yonhap News)

June 4: Yoo's In-Law Arrested for Embezzlement (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140604000971) (The Korea Herald)

June 4: Yoo Byeong-Eon's "Golden Connections" May Include JYP Entertainment & Several Ambassadors (https://keytokorean.com/fun/in-the-news/yoo-byeong-eons-golden-connections-may-include-jyp-entertainment-and-several-ambassadors/) (Key To Korean)

June 5: Two Aides to Fugitive Sewol Owner Put Under Arrest (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140605006300315) (Yonhap News)

June 5: Yoos' Wings Must be Clipped (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2990183&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Conline) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 10: Murder Trial for Sewol Crewmen Begins (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/06/116_158847.html) (The Korea Times)

June 10: Teacher Who Saved Students Found Within Sewol (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2990375)(Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 11: Trial of Sewol Crew Starts with Tears & Curses (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2990435) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 11: Church Members Vow to Protect Fugitive Sewol Ferry Owner as 5,000 Police Storm Compound in South Korea (https://nationalpost.com/news/world/church-members-vow-to-protect-fugitive-sewol-ferry-owner-as-5000-police-storm-compound-in-south-korea) (The National Post)

June 11: S Korea Ferry Police Target Yoo Byung-eun in Huge Raid (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27790275) (BBC)

June 11: South Korean Police Raid Church in Hunt for Businessman Linked With Sunken Ferry (https://time.com/2856458/south-korean-police-raid-church-in-hunt-for-businessman-linked-with-sunken-ferry/) (Time)

June 12: Salvation Sect Raided Once Again (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2990506) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 12: Teacher Yu Ni-na Laid Beside Colleagues & Students Who Went Before Her (http://english.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=201406121843257&code=710100) (The Kyunghyang Shinmum)

June 13: Raid Finds No Tunnels & No Yoo (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2990563)(Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 16: Ferry Owner's Follower Turns Herself In (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/06/16/2014061601689.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

June 16: Yoo's Second Son Masterminded Embezzlement Scheme (https://web.archive.org/web/20140626044617/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/06/116_159207.html) (The Korea Times/Internet Archive)

June 16: Detention Warrant Requested for Yoo's Brother (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2990657)(Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 17: Defense Lawyers: Crew Barely Escaped Stricken Sewol Ferry (https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/world/asia/south-korea-sewol-crew-defense/index.html) (CNN)

June 17: Trial Begins for Executives Who Ran Yoo's Empire (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2990734) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 20: Investigators Scour Park for Yoo; 1 Man Arrested (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2990886) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 20: Yoo's Brother-In-Law in Custody (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/06/116_159505.html) (The Korea Times)

June 21: Prosecutors, Police Shift Their Search for Elder Yoo (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2990950) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 23: Yoo's Wife Questioned After Her Arrest (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2991002) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 24: Students Rescued From Sewol to Testify at Nearby Court (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140624001010) (The Korea Herald)

July 7: Yoo's Son Denies Embezzlement (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140727000282) (The Korea Times)

July 8: South Korea Ferry 'Sank Due to Negligence & Corruption' (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28205785) (BBC)

July 9: Fugitive Ferry Owner Carrying W2 Billion in Cash (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/07/09/2014070901105.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

July 17: U.S. Probes Ferry Owner's Tax Records (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/07/17/2014071701406.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

July 22: Fugitive Ferry Owner Found Dead (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/07/116_161507.html) (The Korea Times)

July 22: Yoo's Death Shifts Focus of Investigation to His Family (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/07/116_161534.html) (The Korea Times)

July 23: S Korea Ferry Boss Yoo Byung-eun 'Hid in Secret Closet' (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28438241) (BBC)

July 23: Massive Manhunt Proves Waste of Time (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/07/23/2014072300911.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

July 23: Police Chief in Yoo Case Sacked (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2992412) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

July 23: When Yoo's Villa Was Searched, He Was Inside (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2014/07/23/socialAffairs/When-Yoos-villa-was-searched-he-was-inside/2992474.html) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

July 24: The South Korean Ferry Disaster Saga Gets Stranger (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a10964/the-south-korean-ferry-disaster-gets-strange-17019672/) (Popular Mechanics)

July 24: A Shameful Portrait of an Investigation (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2992476) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

July 25: Investigators Probe Ferry Owner's Money Bags (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/07/25/2014072501783.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

July 25: Son of Late Owner of Sunken Ferry Detained Following Manhunt (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140725002354315) (Yonhap News)

July 26: Son Nabbed; Yoo's Autopsy Is Inconclusive (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2992578)(Korea JoongAng Daily)

July 26: Prosecutors Launch Investigation into Arrested Son of Sewol Ferry Owner (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/07/116_161736.html) (The Korea Times)

July 27: A Ferry Tragedy & The Downfall of Swindler Tycoon Yoo Byung-eun (https://www.smh.com.au/world/a-ferry-tragedy-and-the-downfall-of-swindler-tycoon-yoo-byungeun-20140727-zxfdi.html) (The Sydney Morning Herald)

July 27: In Ferry Deaths, A South Korean Tycoons Downfall (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/27/world/asia/in-ferry-deaths-a-south-korean-tycoons-downfall.html) (The New York Times)

July 27: Prosecutors, "Yoo Dae-kyun Embezzled 3.5 Bn Won from Cheonghaejin Marine Company" (//http://) (Kyunghyang Shinmun)

July 28: No Help From Crew & Coast Guard, Young Sewol Survivors Testify (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140728000937) (The Korea Herald)

July 29: Sewol Owner's Chauffeur Surrenders to Prosecution (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/07/113_161885.html) (The Korea Times)

Aug. 12: Sewol Owner's Guns Under Probe (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/08/116_162774.html) (The Korea Times)

Aug. 19: Police Believe Yoo Died From Hypothermia (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140819001055) (The Korea Times)

Aug. 20: Police Fail to Establish Cause of Ferry Owner's Death (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/08/20/2014082000916.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

Aug. 23: 40 Days Without Food, Father Rushed to Hospital (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2993926) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Aug. 28: Ferry Owner's Eldest Son Goes on Trial (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/08/28/2014082801795.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

Aug. 29: Ferry Owner's Family Get Jail Break to Attend Funeral (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/08/29/2014082901138.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

Aug. 31: Thousands Gather at Late Ferry Owner's Funeral (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140831000219) (The Korea Herald)

Oct. 8: Ferry Owner's Sidekick Deported to Korea (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/10/08/2014100801294.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

Oct. 14: New York Real Estate of Ferry Owner's Son Impounded (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/10/14/2014101401461.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

Nov. 5: South Korea Sewol Ferry Owner's Relatives Jailed for Corruption (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29910775) (BBC)

Nov. 6: Yoo Family Fraud (https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/view.do?ncd=2962058) (KBS)

QuoteSixteen family members and close associates of the late Semo Group owner Yoo Byeong-eon have been sentenced to prison for embezzlement and breach of trust. Systematic fraud and financial wrongdoing on the part of the Yoo family can be indirectly blamed for the tragic Sewol ferry sinking. ...

They stole nearly 101 million U.S. dollars from the Semo Group affiliates for ten years by receiving fees for phony trademark rights and inflating their wages. The court believed that these crimes had caused financial troubles for the entire Semo Group and forced its affiliate, Chonghaejin Marine, to operate irresponsibly, ultimately leading to the Sewol ferry disaster.

Nov. 11: Search for Ferry Victims Ends (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/11/116_167941.html) (The Korea Times)

Jan. 9: France to Deport Ferry Owner's Daughter (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/01/09/2015010900876.html) (Chosun Ilbo)

March 24 (Updated): Journalist Given Tour of Ferry Owner's Cult Compound (https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2014/05/19/PWULRLUNRZF6XV77DELRGO6GNA/) (The Chosun Daily)

March 24: Ferry Operator Hid Evidence as Sewol Sank (https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2014/05/02/HJK662GEEUPIVK742JJE4DFTU4/) (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteFerry operator Chonghaejin Marine was busy hiding evidence that the ferry had been overloaded shortly after receiving news that the ferry Sewol was sinking on April 16, rather than helping passengers, investigators said.

According to investigators, a crewmember phoned Chonghaejin at around 9:38 a.m., some 50 minutes after the ferry started to sink, informing staff that the ferry had capsized off the southwest coast. This was around the same time that a rescue cutter arrived at the scene.

The crewmember in charge of cargo phoned his superior at Chonghaejin and informed him that overloading appeared to be the cause of the accident and that it would be better to change the records to make it look as if the ferry was carrying less cargo. The two exchanged several phone calls to alter the records, but there was no discussion about evacuating the passengers

April 18: South Korea Sewol Ferry Protest Turns Violent (https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-32366977/south-korea-sewol-ferry-protest-turns-violent) (BBC)

April 29: Appeals Court Brands Sewol Captain a Murderer (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3003649) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

May 8: Court Exonerates Ex-Ambassador for Helping Brother-in-Law Yoo Byung-eon (http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=110503) (KBS World Radio)

May 27: Sunken Ferry Owner's Daughter Detained in France (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140527001698) (The Korea Herald))


June 28: Sewol Carried More Than Double Permitted Amount of Cargo (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/06/116_208092.html) (The Korea Times)

June 29: What's the Real Reason the Sewol Left Port That Night? (http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/750249.html) (Hankyoreh)


March 23: Heartbreaking Stories of Victims, Missing Passengers (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/03/251_226257.html) (The Korea Times)

March 23: Nine People Still Unaccounted For (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/03/251_226218.html) (The Korea Times)

April 19: US Court Orders Late Sewol Ferry Owner's Family to Pay Off Debt (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170419000709) (The Korea Herald)

June 7: Sewol Owner's Daughter Denies Allegations (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/11/251_230798.html) (The Korea Times)

June 7: Daughter of Sewol Operator Returns Home (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3034284&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1) (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 7: Yoo Som-na Denies Charges, 'Hopes For Fair Trial' (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3034319)(Korea JoongAng Daily)

Nov. 24: Daughter of De Facto Owner of Sewol Ferry Operator Gets Four Years for Embezzlement & Breach of Trust (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171124000718) (The Korea Herald)

May 1: Dispatch Claims J.Y. Park Lied About His Affiliation to Religious Cult Members Who Faced Charges in the Sewol Ferry Tragedy (https://www.allkpop.com/article/2018/05/dispatch-claims-jy-park-lied-about-his-affiliation-to-religious-cult-members-who-faced-charges-in-the-sewol-ferry-tragedy) (All K-Pop)

May 2: JYP Entertainment Shares Nosedive on Cult Religion Reports (http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20180502000827) (The Korea Herald Investor)

Sept. 5: Security Command General Arrested for Alleged Surveillance of Civilians (http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180905000877) (The Korea Herald)


April 17: What Went Wrong in the South Korean Ferry Disaster? (New Yorker)



Jan. 16: Meeting A Survivor from S. Korea's Biggest Maritime Disaster (Korea Now)


Jan. 17: Ex-Semo Chairman's Family Ordered to Pay 70% of State Expenses on Sewol Ferry Disaster (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200117008800315) (Yonhap News)

July 23: South Korea's Most-Wanted Man Seized in New York (https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/south-koreas-most-wanted-man-seized-in-new-york/) (The New York Times via The Seattle Times)

July 24: Fugitive Arrested in New York in Investigation Into 2014 S. Korean Ferry Sinking (https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200724006300325?fbclid=IwAR0O4ME_JvPWjJFntpzPU76e3c5XvESEBSicWbg4Xr4bluqPn-NSlc3ykik) (Yonhap News)

Second Son of Sewol Ferry Owner Seized in NY (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/10/113_293349.html) (The Korea Times)

Central Figure in Sewol Sinking Scandal Arrested in the US (https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=155081) (KBS World Radio)

June 11: South Korea's Sewol Ferry Disaster, A Tragedy That Traumatised A Generation (France 24 - English)



Nov. 30: Foreign Governments Abusing American Freedoms: The Time To Act Is Now (https://wtop.com/sponsored-content/2022/11/foreign-governments-abusing-american-freedoms-the-time-to-act-is-now/) (Wtop News / Sponsored Content: Friends of Keith H. Yoo)

QuoteRecent evidence has shown that foreign powers are taking advantage of the freedoms and laws that have protected people in the US to injure or manipulate them for political gain. One victim of such abuse is Keith Yoo, who is being targeted by the South Korean government in an attempt to conceal its corruption and human rights abuses.

Keith, a US resident who has lived here for more than three decades, is about to be extradited to South Korea as early as next week as a political sacrifice. This is an affront to American ideals.

South Korea's government has cloaked itself in economic gains to conceal its ties to past military dictatorships. The Sewol Ferry incident stripped this covering away. On April 16, 2014, the Sewol became one of the worst peacetime catastrophes in the nation's history when an unexplained turn led to the ship listing and taking on water. Experts agree that there was enough time to rescue the passengers. However, corruption within the South Korean government and Coast Guard resulted in the death of over 300 people, 250 of whom were high school students.  These officials may have touted themselves as representing a democratic nation, but they were exploiting their power.

Bereaved families watched helplessly as their children's lives were crushed under the South Korean government's disrespect for human life. Their calls for justice sparked a nationwide outcry. Millions entered the streets to protest peacefully, only to be met by violent measures directed by the government. To deflect blame and maintain power, officials in the South Korean government targeted members of the Evangelical Baptist Church, and specifically, Keith and his relatives. Officials manipulated media outlets with the falsehood that Keith and the church were involved in the ferry incident, resulting in a blanket of fake news stories about the sinking. An arbitration panel eventually stepped in to attempt to stem the tide of religious persecution. This resulted in the unprecedented correction of over 15,000 articles with fake news.

However, the damage was done: few outside of Korea know that the cause of the sinking is still unknown. Fewer still know that Keith's family is being used as a political tool so corrupt officials can avoid responsibility for the failure to save innocent lives. Keith's father, an elderly man with grandchildren, was victimized by an illegal manhunt that resulted in his suspicious death. Members of Keith's church were viciously slandered in the press, without regard for truth or safety. Many suffered unfair treatment at school and work, some even losing friends and jobs over the disinformation campaign created by the South Korean government.

Americans are a freedom-loving people. Throughout history, we have always fought to protect these rights for our nation, as well as for others around the world. Religious persecution that hides government corruption is anathema to all those who believe in what is right. Our constitution and laws provide oversight for US citizens and residents.  Other countries are not—and should not—be involved with this process. The extradition request for Keith is an example of a foreign government trying to control residents on American soil. There is ample evidence showing members of the church were arrested without warrants, interrogated without being informed of their rights, refused access to an attorney during interrogations, denied food, water, or medical attention during interrogations, and questioned extensively on religious beliefs.

A South Korean military unit even illegally wiretapped church members throughout the country using military equipment and no warrant. There is zero chance Keith will obtain a fair trial in South Korea.

Do not allow foreign governments to abuse American liberties or exercise power over US residents. Sign the petition at Change.org (https://www.change.org/p/stop-and-decline-the-unjust-extradition-of-keith-h-yoo?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=575a0810-34e6-11e7-acb8-79dff32160d7) to stop the unjust extradition of Keith. Your representatives and senators can also help. Click here to find your representatives and click here to find your senators. Tell them to contact the State Department to halt the persecution of US residents by foreign governments. Would you like to know the truth about the Sewol Ferry incident? Visit www.sewolfacts.com (http://www.sewolfacts.com/).

Aug. 3: US Extradites Pound Ridge Resident Tied to 2014 South Korea Ferry Disaster (https://peterdaley.net/strangerthings/US%20extradites%20Pound%20Ridge%20resident%20tied%20to%202014%20South%20Korea%20ferry%20disaster) (Iohud)

QuoteA South Korean business magnate whose case was turned away by the U.S. Supreme Court was extradited back to South Korea early Thursday morning, resolving much of a years-long legal battle over the man's whereabouts, arrest and attempted prosecution by the South Korean government.

Korean Air confirmed that Keith Yoo, who is also known as Hyuk Kee Yoo, checked into the 12:50 a.m. flight to Seoul. Just hours earlier, the U.S. Marshals Service picked up Yoo from Putnam County Jail, a corrections officer said, where he had been incarcerated pending the Biden administration's final decision on his extradition.

In court filings, attorneys for Yoo say that he is unable to receive a fair trial in South Korea because the government "harbors significant animus against the Yoo family."

Aug. 4: Last Fugitive Linked to Ferry Disaster Extradited to South Korea (https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/last-fugitive-linked-ferry-disaster-extradited-south-korea-2023-08-04/) (Reuters)

Nov. 3: Acquittals in Sewol Ferry Disaster Raise Doubts About State Accountability for Itaewon Crush (https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1114869.html) (Hankyoreh)


April 4: What We Know About the Man-Made Sewol Ferry Disaster, 10 years & 3 Investigations Later (https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1135299.html) (Hankyoreh)


June 30: Bong Joon-ho Praises 'Sea Tiger' for its Heartfelt Portrayal of Sewol Diver's Story (https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-entertainment/2025/06/30/C7B3TSU6T5BZRMQY7YOOX64Z34/) (The Chosun Daily)

Dec. 6: Government Loses Second Trial Over Yoo Byung-eun's Shares (https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/12/06/6SDML3B4GFHXVBEJ6FQVIEPKNE/) (The Chosun Daily)

Dec. 15: (Prosecutors Seek 8-Year Term for Yoo Hyuk-ki in 25.4B Embezzlement (https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/12/15/KBPENNDVCVENPN32M5IHBEMNC4/) (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteYoo was indicted and detained on charges of embezzling a total of 25.493 billion Korean won from March 2008 to March 2014, along with representatives of affiliates close to the late former Chairman Yoo, under the pretext of photo fees, trademark usage fees, management consulting fees, and advisory fees, and diverting the funds to personal accounts or overseas entities.

Feb. 12: Yoo Hyuk-ki Sentenced to Five Years for Embezzling 25 Billion Won  (https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/02/12/I7FINJSVUJDTHG7ZGHYROZM76I/)(The Chosun Daily)

QuoteThe embezzled funds were reportedly used to purchase overseas real estate, host a photo exhibition for his father, and buy luxury goods.