Alleged child killer returned
South Korean woman back in NZ, due in court today
A42-year-old woman facing murder charges after the bodies of two children were found abandoned in suitcases has been handed over to New Zealand authorities.
Earlier this month, a South Korean court approved the extradition of the woman after she was arrested in the port city of Ulsan in September. Immigration records show the woman arrived in South Korea in July 2018.
South Korea’s Justice Ministry said yesterday the unidentified woman was handed over to New Zealand authorities on Monday. The ministry said it also has provided New Zealand with unspecified “important evidence” on the case.
“With the extradition, we hope that the truth of the case, which has garnered worldwide attention, will be revealed through the fair and strict judicial process of New Zealand,” the ministry said in a statement.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Fa’amanuia Vaaelua, of Counties Manukau police, confirmed the woman had been extradited to New Zealand and is expected to appear in court today.
Three police officers travelled to South Korea to transport her back to Auckland, he said. The woman arrived yesterday afternoon and w taken to the Manukau Police Station.
A passenger on an Air New Zealand flight from Seoul, which arrived in Auckland at about 12.30pm yesterday,
told the Herald there were four police officers at the exit of the plane.
However, they said there had been no mention of a potential suspect on the flight, and they didn’t see anyone in handcuffs or any uniformed police on the aircraft.
Vaaelua said the woman would be held in custody overnight and was expected to appear in the Manukau District Court on two charges of murder today.
“The investigation team would like to acknowledge the assistance from agencies both in New Zealand and South Korea, which has meant we have been able to put an alleged offender put before the court.
“Police appreciate the interest in
this matter, however, we are not able to comment further as a person is now before the court.”
An interim non-publication order, issued by the Coroner for the two victims, also remains in place.
The children’s bodies were discovered in August after an Auckland family bought abandoned goods, including two suitcases, from a storage unit in an online auction. Police have said the family had nothing to do with the deaths.
The victims were between five and 10 years old and had been dead for years, according to police.
South Korean Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon issued an order for the woman’s extradition earlier this
month after the Seoul High Court had earlier granted approval.
The Seoul High Court said its decision to approve extradition came after the unidentified woman agreed in writing to be sent back to New Zealand. The court had previously planned to review her case to determine whether she should be extradited but later said it was no longer necessary.
South Korean police arrested the woman based on a domestic court warrant, issued after Kiwi authorities requested her provisional arrest.
South Korean police have said the woman was born in South Korea and later moved to New Zealand, where she gained citizenship.