Montenegro’s Justice Minister Questions Do Kwon Extradition Deal with South Korea

Potential Links Between Do Kwon's Extradition and Airport Concession in Montenegro

Recent developments surrounding the extradition of Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, have raised eyebrows in Montenegro, particularly due to comments made by the former Justice Minister, Andrej Milović. Milović has expressed concerns about a possible connection between Kwon's extradition and the ongoing airport concession agreement between Montenegro and South Korea.

Accusations Against Prime Minister Spajić

Andrej Milović claims that the current Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, adjusted his position regarding a proposed 30-year concession for Montenegrin airports, suggesting that Kwon's extradition is being used as leverage in negotiations with South Korean officials. Reports indicate that Kwon was detained in Montenegro in March 2023, facilitating discussions regarding his legal status.

Change in Extradition Support

Initially, Prime Minister Spajić supported the idea of extraditing Kwon to France. However, following a ruling by an appellate court, he shifted his support towards extradition to South Korea. This change has raised suspicions about his motivations, particularly due to Milović's assertion that Spajić has personal ties to Kwon's cryptocurrency project, having reportedly invested $75,000 in the failed Terra/Luna tokens.

Additional Concerns Raised by Other Politicians

Montenegro�s President Jakov Milatović and former Prime Minister Dritan Abazović have also voiced concerns about Spajić's alleged concealment of his relationships with Kwon. They noted that there were numerous meetings between Spajić and Kwon, which must be thoroughly examined.

Impact on Investigations

Milović has urged that extraditing Kwon to South Korea would significantly impede a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case. He called for the United States to pressure Spajić to comply with a more in-depth inquiry.

Legal Status and Supreme Court Decisions

Earlier reports indicated that Montenegro's Ministry of Justice would make the final decision regarding Kwon's extradition to either the United States or South Korea. On September 20, the Supreme Court announced it had referred Kwon's case to the Minister of Justice after a request for legal protection. The High Court stated that both South Korea and the United States fulfill the criteria for extradition requests from Montenegro to face criminal charges.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Do Kwon's extradition raises critical questions regarding the intersection of international law, cryptocurrency, and local politics in Montenegro. With potential conflicts of interest and allegations of impropriety looming over Prime Minister Spajić, stakeholders are keenly observing how this case unfolds and what implications it may have for future relations between Montenegro and South Korea.