NATION : Learn English, Judge Orders

SHREVEPORT, La. — A Korean immigrant who pleaded guilty to selling fake designer purses has been ordered to learn English during the next year as part of his probation.

Interpreter Yong Spears told U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg that Bup Song Choe, 35, of Irving, Tex., will “try best” to learn the language.

“Try best, nuts!” Stagg responded during a hearing Wednesday. He told Choe that he must learn English during his one-year probation, with his probation officer reporting on his progress.

Choe’s wife told the judge, “He loves America as well as his own country. He wants to be American citizen.” She also showed Stagg a photograph of their sons, Robert and Sam. The boys and Choe’s wife are U.S. citizens.

“It’s a good thing that you want to become a citizen, but it’s also true that you were a guest in this country when you broke its laws,” Stagg told Choe.