David Yong denied exit from Singapore, deemed flight risk

David Yong, the CEO of Evergreen Group Holdings and a notable figure on the Netflix show "Super Rich in Korea," has been denied permission to leave Singapore for a third time. On March 20, a Singaporean court deemed him a "serious flight risk." Yong, 37, requested to travel to South Korea and Malaysia for business from March 21 to April 2. He has been free on bail of S$1 million (about US$750,000) since his arrest on August 3, 2024. Yong faces four charges related to alleged fraud involving falsified documents linked to his company. His lawyers argue that his planned travels are legitimate and necessary for business meetings. They also clarified the status of his Cambodian passport, claiming it has been canceled and is with Cambodian authorities. This has been a key issue in his previous court applications. Earlier attempts to leave Singapore were denied due to concerns that Yong might flee. In February, his request to travel was rejected by the same judge who oversaw the latest hearing. Although Yong’s lawyers presented evidence suggesting his passport is no longer valid, the prosecution insists there is still no official confirmation of this. The prosecution described the continued interest in foreign citizenship, including discussions about acquiring a Grenada passport, as a significant concern. They argue that Yong's actions indicate he may attempt to escape from legal consequences. The judge supported this view and rejected Yong's travel request, maintaining his bail amount. His next court date is set for May 8, where further proceedings will take place. If convicted, Yong could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge.