South Korean envoy Kim Ichul (right) met with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday (Feb.22, 2023) to discuss, among other things, the deportation of three Korean nationals. (Photo from DOJ PIO)
MANILA – The South Korean envoy to the Philippines on Wednesday sought help from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the repatriation of three Korean nationals back to their home country.
In a statement, the DOJ said Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul paid a courtesy call to Justice Secretary Remulla and congratulated the department on its recent deportation of Japanese fugitives.
"They then spoke about the request by the Korean government to likewise have three Korean nationals deported back to South Korea. The official request, Ambassador mentioned, was already sent by his consul-general," DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said in a statement.
No details about the expatriates' detention or identities were provided in the meantime.
Remulla assured Ambassador Inchul that he would look into the request immediately.
The DOJ earlier directed prosecutors to cause the withdrawal of "contrived" cases in local courts which are being used by the lawyers of fugitive foreign nationals to prevent their deportation.
Earlier this month four Japanese nationals, Yuki Watanabe, Tomonobu Saito, Kiyoto Imamura and Toshiya Fujita, who are members of the so-called Luffy's gang and wanted for various crimes in their country, were deported back to Japan with Japanese police escorts.
Luffy’s gang has been implicated in a string of robberies in Japan including one which resulted in the death of a 90-year old woman. (PNA)
