WAIMEA — A South Korean man accused of stabbing a man and injuring a woman Jan. 27 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel told investigators he would not return to Hawaii, the prosecutor said during what was supposed to be the suspect’s first scheduled appearance Tuesday.
During the hearing, the alleged suspect, Kyong Sun Yoo, would have heard the charges against him, entered a plea and possibly been assigned a public defender.
But no attorney appeared for Yoo, 59, of Yuseong Gu, South Korea, who is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and family abuse.
Both victims are South Korean nationals.
Yoo’s bond was set at $8,000 following his arrest. Yoo posted bail himself.
The bond receipt told him to appear in court March 3 in Kailua-Kona, which was an incorrect date and location. It was updated and he was advised of the change, said Deputy Prosecutor Britt Bailey.
But it also muddied things surrounding the case.
“I’m a little concerned about the notice, counsel. This is not the clearest record,” Judge Andrew P. Wilson said Tuesday.
Court staff reported they received a call from John Kim of the South Korean Consulate, who said Yoo would not be present for Tuesday’s hearing. Yoo returned to South Korean after posting bond.
Bailey said Yoo informed a detective that he would not be returning to Hawaii at all.
She ultimately requested a continuance to allow Yoo to appear, which Wilson granted.
The hearing was continued to 10 a.m. March 22 at the South Kohala Court, and the judge advised Bailey to prepare for a bond forfeiture hearing and possible warrant.
A standard bail condition is that the defendant cannot leave the island without prior permission of the judge. Court records show no consultation with a judge for Yoo.
As a South Korean national, the suspect would have needed to acquire a visa from the United States Consulate to enter the country.
But an agreement between South Korea and the U.S. allows their nationals to go through an electronic system for approval or denial. This saves time and a trip to the consulate for an interview with a consular officer.
Kim said his office is relaying information to Yoo, but is staying out of the legal proceedings.
Since there is an ongoing investigation and visa records are confidential, Julia Mason of the State Department directed questions about the visa to the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS did not return a request for comment.
The two nations do have a mutual extradition treaty, signed in 1998.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
