The daughter of Yoo Byung-eon, the shipping tycoon and cult leader widely blamed for the 2014 ferry disaster, arrived back in Korea Wednesday after losing a three-year battle against extradition from France.

Yoo Sum-na (51) was handcuffed and taken in for questioning on arrival at Incheon International Airport. She is formally accused of breach of trust and embezzling funds from Cheonghaejin Marine, which operated the ill-fated ferry Sewol that sank off the southwest coast in 2014, killing more than 300 passengers.

"The embezzlement allegation is simply preposterous," Yoo said as she faced a throng of reporters. "I have worked my entire life and earned money for my services."

Asked why she refused to return to Korea voluntarily, Yoo said, "I only sought protection under the law, regardless of whether it was a foreign country, to secure myself a fair trial. I think everybody remembers how those in power harshly, politically pushed ahead with the investigation."

"I never fled," she said. "I never received a single letter from the prosecution. I expect a fair trial now."

