Prosecution Requests Extradition Review for Son Jung-woo of 'Welcome to Video'... Decision on Extradition Within Two Months

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 28th, the prosecution requested an extradition review from the court for Son Jeong-woo (24), the operator of the world's largest child sexual exploitation site 'Welcome to Video.'

Accordingly, the decision on whether Son will be extradited to the United States is expected to be made within the next two months.

According to the court, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, which has jurisdiction over extradition cases, filed an extradition review request on the same day for Son, who is accused of 'international money laundering' and other charges.

The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office executed an extradition arrest warrant on Son, who is detained at Seoul Detention Center the day before his sentence expires, and requested the extradition review just one day later. Under the Extradition Act, the prosecution must request an extradition review within three days from the date of detention under the extradition arrest warrant.

The court that received the request assigned Son's case to the Criminal Division 20 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Kang Young-soo, Jung Moon-kyung, and Lee Jae-chan).

The Criminal Division 20 must promptly conduct the extradition review for Son and decide on the extradition within two months. The extradition review is a single-instance process with no appeal procedure.

The court usually can decide to approve or reject the extradition based on written documents alone, but if necessary, it may hold a hearing. The hearing is generally open to the public.

If the court grants the extradition approval and the Minister of Justice endorses it, the U.S. enforcement agency will enter the country within a month to take the individual into custody.

Son was indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury in August 2018 on six counts and nine charges, including distribution of child pornography. However, due to the principle of double jeopardy, only the money laundering charge is subject to review in relation to the extradition.

Previously, Son was sentenced to one year and six months by a domestic court for operating the 'Welcome to Video' site on the 'dark web,' which requires a special browser to access, from July 2015 to March 2018, distributing sexual exploitation materials, and he has completed his sentence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.