Late ferry owner's brother asks for custody suspension

A brother of the late shipping tycoon blamed partly for April's ferry disaster has requested a district court to temporarily release him from jail to attend his brother's funeral, court officials said Tuesday.

Yoo Byun-ill, 75, the elder brother of Yoo Byung-eun, submitted the request to the Incheon District Court in this western port city on Monday, they said. The elder Yoo is currently on trial on charges of embezzlement.

The body of the 73-year-old millionaire, whose family owns Sewol operator Chonghaejin Marine Co., was found on a remote hill in the southern part of the country on June 12 amid a nationwide massive manhunt.

Authorities had sought the younger Yoo -- a religious figure and ex-convict -- believing that his alleged corruption may have contributed to the April 16 disaster that left more than 300 people, mostly high school students, dead or missing.

Earlier, the Evangelical Baptist Church, also known as the Salvation Sect, said the date of Yoo's funeral is yet to be determined, though it will likely be on Saturday. His body was transferred to his family on Monday.

Under the current law, the confinement of a suspect can be suspended when there is "considerable reason," with his or her place of stay limited.

Last month, Yoo's wife, Kwon Yun-ja, submitted a request but the police rejected it, citing an ongoing investigation into the family.

Kwon is planning to make another request with the court, according to sources there.

Other family members, including Yoo's younger brother and the eldest son, are also forecast to make similar requests later this week, the sources added. (Yonhap)