US Decides to Extradite Yoo Byung-eun's Younger Son to Korea... Final Decision by State Department
The second son of former Samho Group chairman Yoo Byung-eun, Yoo Hyuk-gi (Source: Yonhap News)
View original image[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The U.S. Department of State is expected to make the final decision on whether to extradite Yoo Hyuk-gi, the second son of Yoo Byung-eun, a central figure in the Sewol ferry disaster and former chairman of the Semo Group, back to South Korea.
According to foreign media on the 3rd (local time), Federal Magistrate Judge Judith McCarthy of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed that Yoo is subject to extradition under the Korea-U.S. Extradition Treaty.
The court ruled that the South Korean government's request for Yoo's extradition had substantial grounds.
In an 80-page decision, Judge McCarthy stated, "The submitted evidence is sufficient to support the charges against Yoo," and said there are substantial grounds for all seven charges against Yoo, including embezzlement.
However, regarding Yoo's claim that he is not subject to extradition under the treaty because the statute of limitations for the criminal charges has expired, the court deferred the matter to the Department of State.
Judge McCarthy said, "A magistrate judge does not have the authority to refuse extradition based on the statute of limitations issue. The authority to refuse extradition lies solely with the Secretary of State."
He added, "Based on U.S. law, if South Korea prevents holding its citizens legally accountable, the person best positioned to consider the political ramifications is the Secretary of State."
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Yoo was indicted by the South Korean prosecution on charges including embezzling a total of 29 billion won of company funds under false trademark contracts or consulting fees, causing damages to shareholders, as the de facto controlling shareholder of Cheonghaejin Marine Company, the operator of the Sewol ferry.
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