A 20-year-old engineering student from Portland, Oregon, remained stuck in South Korea months after he was arrested during what his family described as a mental health crisis. Although a South Korean court acquitted him after finding that he lacked criminal responsibility, a prosecutor's appeal and an exit restriction have prevented him from returning to the US, according to KOIN. His family members said they did not expect South Korea to be so harsh on foreigners and US Embassy reportedly said it can't intervene in Korea's internal judicial decisions.
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The name of the student has not been revealed in details
The student, who attends the Oregon Institute of Technology, had travelled to South Korea to study at Jeonbuk National University. His family told KOIN that the programme was not part of an official Oregon Tech exchange.
According to his mother, Iris Cox, the student experienced a blackout on June 22. His family said he has autism and a history of epileptic seizures. Security camera footage cited in court documents showed him inside a dentist's office, where he opened packages, took small items and bent a pair of glasses. His family said the resulting damage was about $170.
He was arrested on allegations of theft and trespassing and spent about 40 days in jail, much of that time in solitary confinement, according to his mother. She said his psychological condition deteriorated during his incarceration.
A South Korean court later acquitted the student, determining that he lacked criminal responsibility for the incident. But prosecutors appealed the decision, leaving the case unresolved.
The family says the student was unable to leave South Korea because of an exit ban connected to the ongoing legal proceedings. His family posted bail, and his father is currently staying with him in South Korea.
Cox sought help from Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's office. According to KOIN, Wyden's office contacted the US Embassy in Seoul, which said it could not intervene in South Korea's judicial proceedings.
