South Korea ferry disaster: Police raid church compound in hunt for alleged owner

Police officers make arrests at the church in Anseong, South Korea (AP)

Thousands of South Korean police officers have stormed a church compound in their hunt for the billionaire businessman they believe owns the ferry that sank in April, leaving more than 300 people dead or missing.

Authorities allege Yoo Byung-eun’s corruption may have played a part in the sinking. Police and prosecutors are offering a $500,000 reward for information about him.

Yoo, 73, is a member of religious group called the Evangelical Baptist Church, which made headlines in 1987 when 32 of its members were killed in what authorities described as a collective suicide pact.

It was not clear whether Yoo was at the compound at the time of the raid. Police said they were still trying to find some of Yoo’s associates.

AP