Hyundai Group
A native of Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Yu was employed by Hyundai Asan in the Kaesong Industrial Complex. He was detained in March 2009 after allegedly "slandering the system of the DPRK" and inciting a waitress to defect to South Korea. The imprisonment is thought to be partially responsible for reducing the volume of trade between North Korea and South Korea in recent years. He was freed in August 2009 after 137 days of captivity when Hyundai Group chairwoman went to the North to negotiate for his release.