Do Kwon: Extradition To South Korea To Get Supreme Court Review

Montenegrin prosecutors have refused to accept the court’s verdict on the extradition of Do Kwon, Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon to South Korea. 

Complications in The Do Kwon Extradition to South Korea

Two weeks ago, a high court in Podgorica, Montenegro ruled that Do Kwon should be extradited to South Korea. This was a reversal of the previous motion of another court in Montenegro that Kwon be extradited to the United States. For Do Kwon and his team, this was a victory since they had previously shown preference for having him extradited to South Korea.

The reason for preferring South Korea over the U.S. is due to the presence of lesser penalties for white-collar crimes in the former.

Shortly after the court’s verdict on Do Kwon’s extradition, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) raised some objections. A few international agreements and Montenegrin law were cited as the basis for the DOJ’s objections to Do Kwon’s extradition to South Korea. Noteworthy, Do Kwon’s extradition has been at stake between the USA and South Korea since both nations have accusations against Kwon concerning Terraform Labs. 

“The United States continues to seek Kwon’s extradition in accordance with relevant international and bilateral agreements and Montenegrin law. The United States appreciates the cooperation of the Montenegrin authorities in ensuring that all individuals are subject to the rule of law,” the DOJ outlined in a recent statement.

South Korea and the US Authorities May Reach Agreement

The extradition of Do Kwon to South Korea is scheduled for March 24. However, the office of the Supreme State Prosecutor claimed that procedural errors were made, and this requires escalating the case to the nation’s Supreme Court. The Appellate and High Court were accused of mishandling Do Kwon’s case. 

The prosecutors further stated that they went “beyond their authority to make a decision on extradition, which is the exclusive right of the Justice Minister.” 

From all indications, the extraction to South Korea is not the final verdict as it may go in the direction that the Montenegro government officials want; an extradition to the U.S. At the same time, if he ends up getting extradited to South Korea, it is worth noting that the U.S. could still request that he is first tried in New York.

With the complications around the Do Kwon extradition, nothing appears finalized until the Montenegro Supreme Court rules.