India's screening interrogation was held to determine whether the world's largest child sexual exploitation site 'Welcome to Video' operator, Son Jung-woo, 24, is being returned to the United States.

Attorney Son's side today (19th) at the Seoul High Court's extradition screening hearing, said he refused to repatriate due to fears of his native Americans and concerns about further punishment. He expressed his opinion that "we must guarantee that we are not punished for child pornography in the United States." 

The prosecution, on the other hand, claimed permission to repatriate the crimes, according to data and evidence prosecuting Mr. Son for an international cooperation investigation in the United States.

Son was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for alleged distribution of sexual exploitation. 

Separately, however, Mr. Son was charged with nine allegations of child pornography in 2018 by the U.S. federal grand jury, and at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, the prosecution requested a criminal extradition.

In accordance with the principle of prohibition of double punishment, only the alleged money laundering charges that have not been prosecuted in Korea have been considered for extradition. Therefore, Mr. Son insisted that the United States should guarantee that even if they are returned to the United States, they will not be punished for allegedly spreading child sexual exploitation, except for money laundering, which is a crime targeted for delivery.

Today, Son was not present, and only Son's father went to court. Soon's father told reporters immediately after the trial, "Sin is serious, but being sent to the United States is a pity for my father."

The judges held another question on the 16th of next month and decided to deliver immediately that day. On this day, the judge decided to summon Mr. Son and proceed with the process of hearing the position.

If the court decides to deliver, and the Department of Justice approves, the US enforcement agency will return Mr. Son to the United States within a month. 

(Composition: Joeul Sun, Photograph: Doowon Yang, Editorial: Hongmyeong Lee)