▲ Suspect in New Zealand 'body of child in bag' riding in car
A Korean-New Zealand woman who was identified as the likely culprit in the 'child body case in the bag' has been repatriated to the local area.
The Ministry of Justice announced today that it handed over to New Zealand authorities yesterday (28th) evening (28th) at Incheon International Airport, Mr. Lee (42), and the confiscated evidence.
New Zealand police determined that it was a murder case when the bodies of two children were found in a suitcase sold at a warehouse auction in August, and tracked down Lee, who is known as the prime suspect and the victim's mother.
Lee, who immigrated to New Zealand and acquired her local citizenship, entered South Korea after the incident and lived on the run. She was arrested in Ulsan in September.
After receiving a request for extradition from the New Zealand government asking for Lee's extradition, the Ministry of Justice ordered the Seoul High Prosecutor's Office to request an extradition review.
The court granted Lee's extradition on the 11th.
In the process, the Ministry of Justice, which also received a request for mutual legal assistance from the New Zealand authorities who were investigating the case, instructed the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office to collect and reinforce evidence related to the case and provide it to the New Zealand side.
The Ministry of Justice said, "Repatriation of criminals fleeing the country often takes a long time, but this case took only three months until the final extradition." I will be a model.”
He added, "We hope that the truth of this case, which is the first extradition case filed by New Zealand against the Republic of Korea, will be revealed through New Zealand's fair and strict judicial process."
(Photo = Yonhap News)