Chan Han Choi: North Korean ‘agent’ claims ‘memory loss’ in weapons trial
Australian man Chan Han Choi has been charged with breaching UN sanctions after allegedly helping North Korea in the weapons black market.
Police & Courts
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An Australian man accused of secretly helping North Korea trade missiles claims he is suffering from “memory loss” in a pre-trial hearing.
Chan Han Choi, the first person charged under Australia’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday via video link from Long Bay Prison Hospital.
The 61-year-old has pleaded not guilty to eight charges including providing services for a weapon of mass destruction program, contravening a law or sanction and contravening a UN sanction.
Choi, who has been in custody since December 2017, sacked his legal aid lawyer earlier this year after a “disagreement”.
“I have suffered from memory loss,” Choi told the court on Monday.
“I dismissed them. I accept that. In relation to the second team they withdrew on their own record.”
A second team was appointed, but the court was told Choi decided to represent himself at trial and has since had no access to an interpreter or lawyer in jail.
The court heard his application to receive legal aid again had been terminated pending a change in circumstances.
Supreme Court Justice Christine Adamson told the court Choi should be represented.
“In order to run a criminal trial the accused ideally should be legally represented and obviously needs an interpreter,” Ms Adamson said.
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“If he can’t understand the documents he can’t have a fair trial.”
Choi’s bail application has been listed for November.
Choi was born in the South Korean capital of Seoul and moved to Australia in 1987, before becoming a citizen in 2001.
Australian Federal Police will allege in court that while living in Australia he worked in secret for the highest echelon of the North Korean government after pledging his loyalty to the socialist regime.
It will be alleged he used black market contacts in Syria, Taiwan, Cambodia and Russia to broker deals in coal and iron – but also discussed the sale of short-range missiles.