PHOTOS Ex-President Lee freed on bail in bribery case
Former President Lee Myung-bak, center, leaves a detention center in Seoul after the Seoul High Court approved his request for bail, Wednesday. Yonhap
Former President Lee Myung-bak was released on bail Wednesday after almost a year of detention on corruption charges.
The Seoul High Court approved the Jan. 29 request for bail that Lee made on the grounds of deteriorating health and other reasons.
Lee was freed soon after his hearing on Wednesday and returned home at 4:20 p.m.
The court ordered him to stay at his registered residence and only meet or communicate with his immediate family and legal representatives.
Lee accepted these conditions.
The court ordered him to stay at his registered residence and only meet or communicate with his immediate family and legal representatives. Yonhap
Lee waves to supporters before leaving for his home. Yonhap
Reporters wait for Lee's arrival at his residence in Gangnam, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Security guards at Lee's residence in Gangnam, Seoul. Yonhap
Lee, president from 2008-2013, was in detention pending his appeal of a 15-year prison sentence after he was convicted of bribery, embezzlement and other charges last Oct. 5.
The court found that Lee was the actual owner of his brother's auto parts company and that he used his presidential power to benefit the firm and himself, including accepting a 5.9 billion won ($5.2 million) bribe from Samsung. (Yonhap)
Former President Lee Myung-bak walks into Seoul High Court to attend a hearing, Wednesday. The court accepted Lee's request for bail during the hearing on the grounds of his deteriorating health and other reasons. Yonhap