'Sharp, tearing pain hurts Park Geun-hye': ex-leader's attorney pleads for her release

Former President Park Geun-hye. Korea Times file

By Park Si-soo

Jailed former President Park Geun-hye is suffering “sharp and strong pain that feels like tearing off and burning” her entire body, leading to “chronic sleep disparity threatening her health seriously,” her former private attorney Yoo Young-ha claims.

Yoo wrote this in his petition to the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office on Wednesday seeking Park's release for treatment.

Park, the predecessor of President Moon Jae-in, has been locked in a prison cell since March 31, 2017, following a massive power abuse and corruption scandal that led to her ouster on March 10, 2017.

Park was charged with many offenses and found guilty in some cases. Trials for other matters, including the most contentious issue of her negligence of duty as head of state, are under way.

“Park has received treatment for her herniated disk, but it didn't work at all,” Yoo wrote in the petition. “She is suffering from sharp pain that feels like her flesh is cut off and on fire, disrupting her sleep. I told Park I would beg for her release to the President (Moon Jae-in) but she didn't want me to.”

Yoo said Park needs intensive medical care only available outside the prison and if it doesn't happen, she could be left with “serious and long-lasting” health problems.

The prosecution said it will make a decision on the issue soon.

“The decision will be made based on rules and laws,” a prosecutor said.