South Korean tycoon may face arrest for karaoke assault

SEOUL, Apr 30 (Reuters) South Korean police said today they may seek an arrest warrant for one of the country's richest business leaders who has been accused of using a steel pipe to assault karaoke bar waiters.

The case has fascinated a country already used to bribery scandals, nepotism and illicit financial dealings among its business leaders.

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn is suspected of seeking revenge for a supposed assault of his son at the hands of waiters at the upscale karaoke bar by taking his bodyguards to seize the six workers, speed them off to a remote mountain area outside Seoul and then beating them, police said.

''We will decide when to seek an arrest warrant after conducting further investigation,'' a Seoul police station chief, Jang Hee-gon told reporters.

The waiters told police that Kim picked up a 150-cm (5-foot) steel pipe and joined in the beatings, the police said in a statement.

Kim has denied the charges, company officials and police said.

The incident allegedly took place about six weeks ago and police only announced their investigation last week after major dailies and TV networks ran stories on the suspected beatings based on interviews with the supposed victims.

''This is why people complain that if you have money you can get away with anything,'' the national daily JoongAng Ilbo said in an editorial.

Kim was questioned by police at the weekend.

REUTERS SS KN1504