Two Koreans extradited to Japan, arrested over 2018 attempted robbery

Two South Korean nationals who fled to South Korea after attempting to rob a Chinese man of a large sum of cash on a Tokyo street eight years ago have been extradited to Japan and arrested under a bilateral extradition treaty.

According to Kyodo News and other outlets, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested the two South Korean men, both in their 20s and 30s, on charges of attempted robbery after they tried to steal cash from a Chinese man in his 30s on a street in Taito Ward, Tokyo, in November 2018.

The two are accused of spraying tear gas at a Chinese man connected to a precious-metals purchasing company on a road in Matsugaya, Taito Ward, on the afternoon of Nov. 12, 2018, in an attempt to steal approximately 47 million yen ($303,000), or 420 million won.

The victim resisted strongly, and the suspects fled without taking the cash. They left for South Korea immediately after the incident, but Interpol issued a red notice at Japan's request. South Korean authorities handed them over Tuesday under the Japan-South Korea extradition treaty.

Police said a total of five South Korean men, including the two suspects, were present at the scene at the time of the crime.

Two other accomplices have already been arrested and convicted on charges including attempted robbery, while the remaining suspect remains the subject of an international wanted notice as police continue to track his whereabouts.

During police questioning, the two men either exercised their right to remain silent or denied the charges, saying they "did not commit any robbery," according to investigators.