MB Likely to Be Temporarily Released... Afternoon Hearing on Suspension of Sentence Execution Scheduled

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former President Lee Myung-bak is expected to be temporarily released.

On the 28th at 2 p.m., the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office will hold a committee meeting to review the suspension or extension of imprisonment for local detainees, including the former president. The results of the discussion will be announced on the same day. Former President Lee submitted an application for suspension of imprisonment to the Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on the 3rd, citing health deterioration. It has been reported that he has been hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital since last week due to chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Accordingly, if his imprisonment is suspended, he is expected to remain in the hospital during the suspension period without a separate release procedure and focus on treating his chronic illnesses.

The legal community anticipates that this suspension of imprisonment will ignite discussions on a special pardon ahead of Liberation Day on August 15. The main reason is that the former president has repeatedly been hospitalized and discharged due to diabetes and bronchitis. In December 2020, while incarcerated at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, he also applied for suspension of imprisonment due to concerns about COVID-19 infection, but it was denied. Unlike former President Park Geun-hye, Lee was excluded from the New Year's special pardon list.

On the 9th, President Yoon Suk-yeol, while arriving at the Yongsan Presidential Office, remarked about former President Lee, "Serving 20 years in prison doesn't seem right," and added, "The decision on pardon will be made based on precedent," which has strengthened the argument for a special pardon.

Former President Lee was arrested in March 2018 on charges including embezzlement and bribery while under investigation by prosecutors and was released on bail in March 2019. He continued to stand trial without detention until February 2020, when he was re-arrested following a 17-year prison sentence in the second trial. However, he appealed the bail cancellation decision and was released again after six days. In October 2020, the Supreme Court confirmed the 17-year prison sentence and a fine of 13 billion KRW. On November 2 of the same year, he was incarcerated at Seoul Eastern Detention Center and was transferred to Anyang Prison after a COVID-19 outbreak in the correctional facility.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.