Probe into Jang suicide resumes after Korea extradites manager

After several months on the lam in Japan, a key suspect in a criminal investigation into events surrounding the suicide of a Korean actress was handed over to Korean law enforcement authority yesterday.

Kim Sung-hoon, the head of the late Jang Ja-yeon's management company, arrived at Incheon International Airport at 11:30 a.m. from Narita International Airport in Japan. He was taken into custody by police officers from the Bundang Police Precinct in Gyeonggi.

Hidden behind sunglasses and a white surgical mask, Kim was dressed in a dark blue T-shirt, jeans, a black hat and white athletic shoes.

He was taken to a van waiting outside one of the airport's exits at 12:06 p.m. and driven straight to the Bundang precinct.

Investigators at the precinct said they are going to question Kim over charges against him related to the death of Jang and submit him to a written interrogation within 48 hours, the maximum time limit before a detention warrant is required under Korean law. The police are planning to seek a warrant to detain Kim tomorrow.

Bundang police said they will resume the probe into the Jang case following a two-month hiatus. The investigation focuses on whether Kim forced the late actress to serve drinks to influential figures and have sex with them. Kim has been also accused of embezzling money Jang earned from her performances, hitting Jang on the head with an empty plastic bottle and making threatening calls to Jang's friends.

Police also want to find out whether the complaints Jang had detailed in a letter written prior to her death are true. The document was allegedly leaked to the media by Yoo Jang-ho, the head of Jang's agency at the time of her suicide.

Jang's ex-manager was arrested by police officers in Japan on June 24 at a hotel in Tokyo. Since then Bundang police have urged their Japanese counterparts to extradite Kim as soon as possible since he was recognized as an illegal immigrant.

Kim fled to Japan on Dec. 2 last year with a visa valid for 90 days, which expired on March 1. The South Korean Foreign Ministry nullified Kim's passport on June 14.

The Bundang precinct investigated a series of allegations concerning Jang's suicide on March 7. They announced their interim report on April 24 and then halted further investigations until the arrest of their primary suspect, Kim.

After questioning a total of 118 people during their month-long probe, investigators whittled suspects down to 20 for further investigation.

Police subsequently pressed charges against nine men - three entertainment agency officials, two producers, three financial industry officials and the head of an IT firm.

Police said no indictments were necessary for the remaining 11 persons.

By Jang Joo-young, Lee Min-yong
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Kim Sung-hoon, center with a surgical mask, the head of the late actress Jang Ja-yeon's former agency, arrives at Incheon International Airport with under a police escort yesterday.By Kim Sang-seon