Kim Han-sik, president of Chonghaejin, speaks to media upon his arrival at a coastguard office in Mokpo, South Korea, Thursday, May 8, 2014.
South Korea has boosted to half a million dollars a reward for tips about the mysterious billionaire who prosecutors say owns a ferry that sank last month.
The ten-fold increase in the reward comes as officials struggle to find Yoo Byung-eun on allegations of tax evasion and embezzlement. Prosecutors said Monday that a failure to spend enough money on safety may be a reason for the April 16 sinking.
The sinking of the Sewol ferry left more than 300 people dead or missing, most of them high school students.
The $500,000 bounty is the same amount given if a South Korean citizen provides information about a North Korea-dispatched spy.
Police are also offering a bounty of $100,000, up from $30,000, for Yoo's eldest son. He faces embezzlement allegations.