The decision on whether to release former Chairwoman of the Korea Communications Commission Lee Jin-sook, who was arrested by the police, could be made as early as late in the afternoon on October 4.
Former Chairwoman of the Korea Communications Commission Lee Jin-sook, who was arrested on charges including violation of the National Public Service Act and the Public Official Election Act, is being escorted to Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul on October 2, 2025, and is speaking to the press. Photo by Yonhap News
The Seoul Southern District Court will hold a detention review hearing for Lee at 3 p.m. that day. A detention review is a legal procedure that allows a court to consider a request for release if the arrest by investigative authorities is believed to be unjust. The court examines the legality of the suspect's arrest and issues a decision within 24 hours.
Lee was arrested by police near her home at around 4 p.m. on October 2. The arrest warrant was executed after she failed to comply with six separate requests to appear for questioning. Lee is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act and the National Public Service Act by making politically biased remarks and engaging in preliminary election campaigning through conservative-leaning YouTube channels and her own Facebook account between September and October last year and March and April this year.
In contrast, Lee claims her arrest was unjust, arguing that she had submitted a statement of non-attendance citing the National Assembly filibuster schedule as the reason she could not attend the investigation. She has therefore requested a detention review.
Meanwhile, police reportedly canceled a third round of questioning scheduled for 10 a.m. that day. Lee's legal representative, attorney Lim Mooyoung, stated on his social media account, "I was told the police canceled the investigation schedule because they could not reach me."
The deadline for Lee's detention is 4 p.m. that day. For an arrested suspect, authorities must either request a detention warrant within 48 hours or release the individual. However, the time taken from the submission of investigative documents and evidence to the court for the detention review until the materials are returned after the hearing is excluded from the calculation of the detention period.
If the court rules in Lee's favor in the afternoon, she will be released immediately. Conversely, if the court finds the arrest to be justified, the police are expected to immediately consider applying for a detention warrant.
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