US asks S Korea to arrest former UN chief kin

During a court hearing in federal court in Manhattan, Assistant US Attorney Daniel Noble said that a request had been made for the arrest of Ban Ki-sang, who was an executive at South Korean construction firm Keangnam Enterprises Co Ltd. 

Noble said, “The United States plans to seek his extradition, but as of yet, he has not been apprehended.” 

South Korea’s Justice Ministry is coordinating with the US government on a request to arrest the brother of former UN chief Ban Ki-moon, Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday quoting an unidentified source. 

Officials at the Justice Ministry could not be reached for comment. 

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is believed to be considering a presidential run in South Korea, apologised on Saturday for causing public concerns over his family members who had been named in a bribery case in the United States. Ban said in a statement he hoped any discussions between law enforcement authorities of South Korea and the United States - if they were taking place as reported - would be “strict and transparent” so that there is no suspicion left in the South Korean public. He also reiterated he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the case.