Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil, 70), who is serving time after her medium-length sentence was finalized in the Park Geun-hye administration's state capture case, was temporarily released due to health reasons. Choi was also released for 130 days in 2022 after the execution of her sentence was suspended for spinal surgery.
According to legal sources on the 2nd, the Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office accepted Choi's request the previous day for a three-month suspension of sentence execution.
It was found that Choi applied for a suspension of sentence execution, saying the area where she underwent spinal fracture surgery became infected and required treatment.
The Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that the execution of imprisonment may be suspended when ▲ there is a concern that the execution of the sentence may significantly harm health ▲ the person is 70 or older ▲ there is no one to care for an elderly lineal ascendant or a young lineal descendant.
Choi was indicted and detained on charges including abuse of power and bribery, and in 2020 received a finalized sentence of 18 years in prison, a fine of 20 billion won, and a forfeiture of 6.3 billion won, and has been serving time at Cheongju Women's Prison.