Yang Bin`s House Arrest to Last Longer

The Chinese authorities are reported to question Yang Bin, the governor of the Shinuiju, North Korea special administrative zone, who has been under house arrest. This is reportedly in an attempt to figure out corruption scandals in which Yang is involved. The Chinese authorities are also said to have launched an investigation about public officials on local governments, who are implicated in Yang`s corruption scandals.

Sources in China said, "The Chinese authorities think that officials of local governments provided a favor for Yang in the process of illegally transferring the usage of land. They launched a probe targeting government officials suspected of helping Yang.

Sources added, "The Chinese authorities formed a task force comprising officials from the central government to investigate whether local officials have been involved in Yang`s business irregularities. The finding of the investigation might reveal a possible connection between Yang and central officials."

Is is uncertain when Yang would be released from house arrest as the Chinese authorities expands the scope of the investigation with regards to Yang.

Another sources said, "The Chinese authorities plan to conduct the investigation about Yang in accordance with the principle of the domestic law, them discuss the issue with North Korea. It will take longer than expected to wrap up the investigation."

Meanwhile, the Chinese Police have blocked foreign media from accessing the Holland Village or covering Yang`s house arrest without consent from the Chinese government. The Chinese Police are said to identify the whereabouts of foreign journalist who have been in Shenyang.

yshwang@donga.com