Why so many police used in raid of Korean church?

Source: Associated Press

Why so many police used in raid of Korean church?
Posted: Jun 12, 2014 1:40 AM CDT
Updated: Jun 12, 2014 2:44 AM CDT

By BY HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Several thousand police officers - 6,000 on Wednesday and 3,000 on Thursday - were mobilized to raid a sprawling South Korean church compound near Seoul to hunt for Yoo Byung-eun, a fugitive billionaire businessman and member of the church wanted in relation to the deadly ferry sinking in April. Authorities believe Yoo owns the ship and that alleged corruption may have contributed to its sinking. The government is offering a $500,000 reward for tips about his whereabouts.

Here are some questions and answers about raid and background factors.

WHY SO MANY POLICE?

Police said the sheer size of the compound - about 30 football fields, including a fish farm, cow ranch and a 5,000-seat auditorium - required several thousand officers. Some were deployed outside the complex, the headquarters of the Evangelical Baptist Church, to block possible escape routes while a police helicopter hovered overhead on both days. Dozens of prosecution investigators were also involved.

Police were also worried about potential clashes with church members, some of whom had reportedly threatened to die as martyrs when they refused to open the compound last month. About 200 members who gathered to protest outside the compound Wednesday sang hymns and chanted slogans while pumping their fists in the air.


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