S.Korean Sewol fugitive arrested at France airport

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - The daughter of a notorious late South Korean businessman -- considered the de facto owner of the Sewol ferry that sank off the island's southern coast on April 16, 2014, claiming more than 300 lives -- arrived back in her homeland wearing handcuffs on Wednesday, after being extradited by French authorities.

Incheon District Prosecutors' Office announced the arrest of 51-year-old Yoo Sum-na during her flight from Charles De Gaulle Airport to the South. Yoo landed at Incheon International Airport close to 3 p.m. (0600GMT).

Yoo Sum-na allegedly escaped to France to escape prosecution, although she told reporters on her return that she "never attempted to flee South Korea".

"I feel so sad and am aware that no kind words could heal the tragedy," she added in quotes carried by local news agency Yonhap. Yoo also rejected the claim that her father even owned the Sewol's operator.

She was first detained in France three years ago after being placed on Interpol’s wanted list on suspicion of embezzling 49 billion won ($44 million USD) from Cheonghaejin Marine, but her extradition was drawn out by a lengthy legal process.

Father Yoo Byung-eun, who was the head of a local Christian sect, was found dead in a remote field within weeks of the sinking. Several officials from his company Cheonghaejin Marine were imprisoned over irregularities related to the tragedy, while his son Yoo Dae-kyun was found hiding in South Korea before being given a three-year sentence on corruption charges.