Ex-first lady's lawyers ask court to grant bail for health reasons
In this file photo, former first lady Kim Keon Hee attends her corruption trial at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Sept. 24. Joint Press Corps
Lawyers for former first lady Kim Keon Hee asked a court on Wednesday to grant immediate bail, citing her deteriorating health in prison, during her bail hearing.
The hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul after Kim filed for bail on Nov. 3, citing the need to treat worsened symptoms of anxiety and dizziness.
Kim, under arrest since August, has been standing trial on charges of involvement in stock price manipulation schemes, meddling in candidate nominations for elections and taking bribes from the Unification Church in exchange for favors.
Kim's lawyers said that she lost consciousness several times in the past and her health is now in very bad condition in prison unable to receive proper treatment.
They said she can accept all bail conditions, such as limiting the residence to home and hospital, ban on cell phone use and wearing an electronic device.
They also said that it is too harsh to put Kim and her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, under arrest at the same time. Yoon has been in custody while standing trial over his failed bid to impose martial law in December.
Special counsel prosecutors, however, opposed her bail, arguing that if she were released, there would be great concern about the destruction of evidence, such as through collusion with her associates.
Kim did not speak in person but only listened with her head bowed during the hearing.