Original article in Korean is here.

On the 16th Judge Seo Gi-seok of the Seoul High Court 20th Criminal Division ordered the extradition of 49-year old Korean citizen Mr. Jo to face criminal charges in the United States for killing two people while driving drunk and then fleeing to Korea.

The judge wrote, “Mr. Jo argues that he has lost his permanent residency and the statute of limitations has expired, but the record shows that Mr. Jo caused an accident and fled to Korea after being investigated by police… the statute of limitations appears to have begun to run from March 21, 2004, the day Mr. Jo absconded.”

The judge wrote further, “Mr. Jo asserts he must take care of his 80-year old mother and 16-year old daughter in Korea, but in consideration of the facts that the crime he committed in the United States requires a heavy punishment, he has already been indicted there, and all of the relevant evidence and witnesses remain there, it is impossible to view his extradition as inhumane or unjust.”

Mr. Jo was indicted for climbing into his car in Maryland on March 2nd of 2004 while severely intoxicated and striking an oncoming sedan, killing the driver and his wife who was in the passenger seat.