At least a quarter million South Koreans lost money. If he is returned to South Korea, he’s going to prison regardless of whether or not he deserves to. That’s how the world works, IMO.
I am not sure you can be sent to jail simply for creating something that turns out to be a bad investment. (goes to 0) This is true even in the arguably more regulated stock market.
That being said it seems like there is more to his story than buggy code.
If enough people are pissed at someone for something, the government will find a way to throw them in jail.
Take Martin Shkreli, for instance. I don't doubt that he was probably guilty of what he was charged with (unrelated to his price hikes of drugs), but I doubt he would have been charged if not for his infamy otherwise. I suspect what he was charged with would also encompass many other business people in the US who are less infamous.
The developer of Anchor told Do Kwon that Anchor wasn't safe but Do Kwon overrode him and deployed it anyway. That's getting into fraud territory because he knew it was going to collapse.
> getting into fraud territory because he knew it was going to collapse
Fraud requires intent in most jurisdictions. This looks more like gross negligence (and possibly embezzlement). In addition to, likely, a host of money transmission law infractions.
