A court on the 4th ordered the release of former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook, who had been arrested by police.
Kim Dong-hyun, a duty judge and Director General judge at the Seoul Southern District Court, concluded the hearing on the legality of arrest that Lee, the former Chairperson, requested that day and granted the request.
Director General Judge Kim said, "It seems difficult to deny the lawfulness of the arrest itself," but added, "There is a need for caution with detention that restricts freedom of expression."
He went on to note that the investigation had already proceeded to a considerable extent, that there was no dispute over the facts so the likelihood of additional investigation was not great, and that the former Chairperson pledged in the hearing to appear faithfully.
He added, "Putting aside that the assessment of the need for arrest may change in the future, at this stage I find that the need for arrest does not persist."
However, Director General Judge Kim said, "Although there is considerable room for dispute over whether the alleged facts constitute a crime, it is difficult to say that the need for investigation is completely negated."
Given the urgency of the matter due to the short statute of limitations, the former Chairperson also needed to proactively state dates she was available to appear and respond to summons as quickly as possible, yet efforts to reply were lacking.
Director General Judge Kim added, "Considering, among other things, whether appearing at the National Assembly—the reason given for ultimately failing to appear on the final scheduled date she had promised in advance—was truly unavoidable, while there is a need to fully listen to some of the questions raised by the defense counsel, it is difficult to deny the lawfulness of the arrest itself."
The former Chairperson, who was being held in the detention cell of the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul, will immediately proceed with the release process.