Kang Son-bi, wife of Mun Chol-myong. Photo: AFP
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https://scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3104755/north-korean-man-malaysia-loses-appeal-against-us Southeast Asia
North Korean man in Malaysia loses appeal against US extradition
- Mun Chol-myong, who has lived in Malaysia for a decade, has been fighting his extradition to the US after being arrested in May 2019
- He is accused of money-laundering and conspiracy to launder money, and the allegations relate mainly to his work in neighbouring Singapore
Mun Chol-myong’s relatives arrive at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on October 8, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE
A North Korean man accused of laundering money lost a legal bid to halt his extradition from Malaysia to the United States to face charges on Thursday, but will lodge a final appeal.
Mun Chol-myong, who has lived in the Southeast Asian country for a decade with his family, was arrested last year following the extradition request from Washington.
He denies FBI claims that he led a criminal group that violated sanctions by supplying prohibited items to North Korea and laundered funds through front companies, according to his lawyers.
A Malaysian court in December approved his extradition but Mun challenged the move at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
His lawyers argued his detention was unlawful, as the allegations against him were of a political nature.
But a judge rejected the argument, saying procedures were correctly followed and Mun failed to prove the extradition bid was “politically-charged”.
There was not “sufficient evidence to support this challenge against the backdrop of the money laundering-related indictments,” judge Ahmad Shahrir Mohamad Salleh said.
Kim Yu-song, counsellor of the North Korean embassy in Malaysia, arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court on October 8, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE
His lawyer said he would lodge a final appeal at Malaysia’s top court.
“We have filed an appeal to the Federal Court. This offence involves sanctions, and sanctions involve political character,” Gooi Soon Seng said.
Mun, in his 50s, was not in court for the ruling but his wife and North Korean officials were present.
He is accused of four charges of money-laundering and two of conspiracy to launder money, and the allegations relate mainly to his work in neighbouring Singapore, according to his lawyers.
It is not clear what he is accused of supplying, but there have been cases of businesses in the city state sending luxury items, such as liquor and watches, to the North.
The export to North Korea of some luxury goods has been banned as part of sweeping sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the United Nations and countries including the US over its weapons programmes.