France holds South Korean tycoon's daughter

By 신용배

Published : June 12, 2014 - 08:44

A French judge has refused a request to free the daughter of a South Korean tycoon who is believed to be the owner of a ferry that sank on April 16, leaving more than 300 people dead or missing.

The judge said Wednesday that Yoo Somena, who was detained May 27 in Paris and is facing extradition to South Korea, might flee France where she has lived since the beginning of 2013.

Yoo Somena is shown in this artist's sketch during her court appearance in Paris, France, Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap)

He noted that Yoo's brother, who also lived in France, disappeared in April. French police arrested Yoo on an international arrest warrant on suspicion of involvement in embezzling $8 million between 2004 and 2013.

Yoo, 47, is the daughter of Yoo Byung-eun, a mysterious billionaire who South Korean authorities believe was the owner of the Sewol ferry. (AP)