South Korea Seeks Interpol Assistance in Renewed Extradition Efforts for Do Kwon

South Korea has reached out to Interpol to seek their assistance in extraditing Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, as part of their ongoing pursuit of justice. Kwon had previously appealed his extradition to the United States successfully, citing “misinformation” regarding the order of extradition requests. He is currently wanted in both South Korea and Montenegro on various charges, including securities fraud and document forgery.

In a letter sent on March 7th, the South Korean police agency formally requested Interpol’s help in extraditing Kwon for securities fraud. Officer Lee Yong-sang stated that the Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Division and the National Police Agency are actively collaborating and utilizing international channels for cooperation. However, they are currently awaiting Interpol’s response.

The situation took a twist when the Montenegrin court nullified Kwon’s extradition to the United States, following his defense’s argument that misinformation about the sequence of extradition requests influenced the court’s initial decision. Kwon now faces charges related to securities fraud in connection with the collapse of the Terra ecosystem in May 2022, which resulted in significant financial losses for investors.

It is worth noting that South Korean authorities had previously requested a “red notice” from Interpol for Kwon even before his arrest in September 2022. This intensified the search for his apprehension. Last March, Kwon was arrested by Montenegro police at Podgorica airport, where forged passports, including Costa Rican and Belgian documents, were discovered. This led to formal charges and legal proceedings in a Podgorica court.

This extradition saga highlights the complexities of international legal proceedings and the challenges faced in cross-border criminal investigations. South Korea’s persistent pursuit of justice in the case of the Terra ecosystem’s collapse exemplifies the intricate web of global efforts against financial crimes. Stay tuned for further developments in this high-profile case.