DNA samples from the body matched those of Yoo's brother, police spokesman Woo Hyung-ho said. Police had wanted to question him on possible criminal negligence charges.
Yoo, 73, was head of the family that owned ferry operator Chonghaejin Marine Co. He went on the run shortly after the vessel, whose passengers were mostly schoolchildren, went down near Jindo island. Yonhap news agency reported that police found a heavily decomposed body last month in a plum field in Suncheon, a city 300 km (186 miles) south of Seoul.
Yoo was wanted for questioning on possible charges of embezzlement and criminal negligence, as prosecutors investigate whether the disaster was caused by mismanagement. Many of his family members have been arrested and his daughter, who lives in France, is currently fighting an extradition bid. His eldest son is still on the run.
In June, some 6,000 police officers stormed a church complex in Anseong city belonging to Yoo. Four church followers were detained on charges of assisting his escape and police said they were looking for several more that had helped the billionaire. Outside the church, supporters held up a large banner that read: "We'll protect Yoo Byung-eun even if 100,000 church members are all arrested."
A reward of $490,000 had been offered for information leading to his capture.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
