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China confirms tycoon's arrest
From CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Jaime FlorCruz
BEIJING, China -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed the house arrest of business tycoon Yang Bin, who was to head North Korea's planned "special administrative zone." "Yang Bin and his enterprises in China are suspected of involvement in various illegal activities," said Zhang Qiyue, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. "Chinese authorities acting in accordance with law have put him under house arrest." Last month, Yang was named by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to be the chief executive of the nation's new "special administrative region" in Sinuiju City. Yang, 39, was arrested at his lavish headquarters in northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang early Friday, the Foreign Ministry said. Shenyang is a city about 250 km (155 miles) west of China's border with North Korea. TaxAhead of Friday's arrest, Yang said Thursday he was being asked by Shenyang's provincial tax bureau to pay 20 million yuan ($1.2 million) in taxes by October 12. At that time, he said the situation is being worked out and is not a big problem. Yang is a Dutch citizen, but was born in China and is reported to be country's second richest man. The autonomous economic enclave in Sinuiju City is being created with the intention of allowing unfettered capitalism to lure international investors, North Korean officials have said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the arrest is not a reflection on China's relations with North Korea, adding China supports North Korea's efforts to improve its economy. Yang, who heads the Hong Kong-listed Euro-Asia Agriculture (Holdings), was due to formally inaugurate the Sinuiju SAR later this month. North Korea has complained about his detention to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
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