Probe into actress suicide resumes as key suspect returns home

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- A former entertainment industry heavyweight who
allegedly forced a popular actress to provide sexual favors to high-powered
officials was extradited to Seoul Friday, a key development in the investigation
of her suicide.

Identified by his surname Kim, the suspect and former manager of late actress
Jang Ja-yeon was arrested on June 24 in Japan and repatriated to Seoul to face
charges of threatening and coercing Jang to provide sexual services. Jang
committed suicide in March.
Clad in a black hat, dark sunglasses and a mask, Kim refused to answer reporters'
questions over whether he admits to the charges and feels responsible for Jang's
death.
Kim had been in Japan since December last year, prolonging his stay while
attempting to fly to another country.
Police say that with Kim now in custody, they will resume the probe that was
suspended for some 70 days due to insufficient evidence and a lack of witnesses.
Jang, 30, hanged herself at her house in Bundang south of Seoul on March 7, her
death shocking the nation as the young starlet had just begun to gain popularity
from her supporting role in a popular TV series.
In a suicide note, Jang claimed she had been forced to serve and provide sexual
favors to high-profile entertainment figures and journalists, prompting a
nationwide scandal.
The accusations were not the first to implicate the local entertainment industry
in abusing young female actresses. Financial watchdogs have been looking into
contracts signed between entertainers and their agents whose terms they say are
close to "enslavement."
On April 24, police announced interim investigation results and wrapped up the
probe without interrogating any of the people mentioned in Jang's suicide note,
saying they had difficulty confirming the allegations without questioning Kim.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)