Nine booked for actress abuse

Police booked nine people in their investigation into a scandal involving Jang Ja-yeon, who killed herself after alleged abuses by her agent, including pressure to have sex with influential figures.

Police yesterday wrapped up its probe into allegations behind the death of Jang, 30, who hanged herself in her home on March 7.

The charged people include her former agent Kim Sung-hun, who Jang accused of forcing her to attend drinking parties and provide sexual favors to powerful figures in the media and show business. He is currently in Japan.

Her immediate agent, Yoo Jang-ho was also booked for defamation by leaking her memo to the media. He was sued by Jang`s family last month.

Others accused include two television directors, three financial industry officials, and a businessman and an entertainment agency employee.

Other leading figures in the media industry, who were mentioned in her note were cleared of charges. Police assumed that she had mistaken others for them.

An arrest warrant was issued on Kim earlier this month but investigators have so far failed to locate or arrest him.

Police decided to suspend the questioning on five other suspects until Kim is extradited from Japan, said Bundang Police Station, which handles the case.

An arrest warrant was issued on Kim earlier this month. Investigators have so far failed to even locate his whereabouts.

"Though we tried to reveal the truth, we faced limits in investigation, as the victim is now dead and the most crucial suspect Kim is overseas," said Han Poong-hyun, head of the Bundang Police Station in the briefing. "Further steps will be taken once Kim is brought in for questioning."

These investigation results were denounced by many as fruitless, especially as they came after a long period of silence from the police. Public suspicion also rose that the police may be covering up for socially influential suspects as their detailed identities remained hidden.

By Bae Hyun-jung



(tellme@heraldm.com)