I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Korean woman cleared of murder charge in Honduras
By Kang Hyun-kyung
A South Korean woman was cleared of charges of being involved in the murder of a Dutch backpacker in Roatan, Honduras in August 2008, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Thursday.
The case was closed more than two years after Han Ji-soo, 27, was arrested by police in Egypt in 2008 for her alleged role in the murder.
Han was in Honduras when the Dutch victim was found dead.
“With regard to the case, a Honduras court ruled yesterday that evidence submitted by prosecutors was insufficient to support that Han was either directly or indirectly involved in the death of the Dutch backpacker,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The court reportedly concluded that Han’s testimony was consistent and denied the prosecution’s report, which read that the Dutch victim was murdered.
The high court’s decision came about a month after the local court in Roatan ruled Han was innocent.
The prosecution is entitled to file an appeal against the ruling to the Supreme Court within 20 days but the foreign ministry official said the chances of doing so were slim.
A source said Han plans to return to Korea later this month.