Repatriation Decision

[Anchor Lead]

A Danish Court has decided to repatriate Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, to Korea. Chung stated through her attorney that she will immediately appeal to a higher court.

[Pkg]

A Danish court has ruled that Chung Yoo-ra, daughter of Choi Soon-sil who is accused of meddling in state affairs, be repatriated to Korea. The Aalborg District Court in Denmark handed down the ruling in the first trial on Chung's protest against her repatriation. She was sent back to detention to facilitate her extradition. The Danish court said that Chung's case has satisfied all the repatriation requirements stipulated under Danish law, and the very act of the Korean court's issuing of a warrant for her arrest already recognizes her alleged crimes. The Danish court also said that Denmark is not ruling on the allegations against Chung, but determining whether there is sufficient reason for her to be repatriated to Korea. The judge also pointed out that Chung's case may be related to former President Park Geun-hye, but cannot be regarded as a political issue. In response, Chung's attorney announced that the court's ruling is not acceptable and that Chung will appeal to a higher court. Therefore, it will likely take much longer for the court to make a final repatriation decision. Nonetheless, Chung said she hasn't considered seeking political asylum in Denmark. She claimed that she is willing to return to Korea if Korean authorities would allow her to see her baby.