Lee Myung-bak Files Final Appeal to Supreme Court Against Bail Revocation Decision, Requests Immediate Release

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former President Lee Myung-bak, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the appellate court and filed an appeal, has also filed a retrial against the court's decision to revoke his bail and re-incarcerate him.

Lee's legal representative, Attorney Kang Hoon, announced on the 25th that he submitted a retrial petition to the Supreme Court regarding the appellate court's decision to revoke bail. On the 19th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judges Jung Jun-young, Kim Se-jong, Song Young-seung) sentenced Lee to 17 years in prison and revoked his bail, resulting in his re-arrest in the courtroom. The court cited "concerns about flight risk or evidence tampering" as reasons for revoking bail.

Attorney Kang argued, "Since the appellate court is the final stage of fact-finding, concerns about evidence tampering do not constitute grounds for revoking bail, and only flight risk should be considered." He added, "The decision to revoke bail was based on a misunderstanding of criminal procedure law, as there is absolutely no flight risk." Given that Lee is a former president and it is impossible for him to flee secretly, and considering that he receives 24-hour close protection under relevant laws, this decision is erroneous.

Furthermore, Attorney Kang stated, "House arrest-type bail should never be permitted again in a democratic country as it is an unconstitutional and anti-criminal procedure law measure." He claimed, "Revoking bail on the grounds of flight risk for a defendant who accepted and complied with such illegal bail conditions is an unlawful decision." Along with this, Lee's side has requested an "immediate suspension" of the execution of detention following the bail revocation decision, meaning they are demanding his immediate release.