Choi Seo-won Temporarily Released on Suspension of Sentence Execution After Over 6 Years... "Needs Spinal Surgery"

Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil, 66), who was granted a one-month suspension of sentence execution for health reasons, is leaving Cheongju Women's Prison on the afternoon of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil, 66), who is serving a sentence for the Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal, has been temporarily released on a suspension of sentence execution.

The Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office held a sentence execution suspension review committee on the 26th and decided to suspend Choi's sentence execution for one month. The suspension period will last until midnight on the 25th of next month. Her residence is restricted to a hospital in Seoul where she is receiving treatment.

Accordingly, Choi was released about 6 years and 1 month after being detained on November 3, 2016. The prosecution explained, "The suspension of sentence execution was decided due to the recognized necessity of spinal surgery." Earlier, on the 19th, Choi applied for suspension of sentence execution, stating "spinal surgery is necessary."

The Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that sentence execution can be suspended if there is a concern that the execution of imprisonment would severely harm health or threaten life preservation.

At around 9:35 p.m. that day, Choi left the main gate of Cheongju Women's Prison in a wheelchair, wearing a black long padding coat. She tightly closed her lips and hurriedly left the scene by getting into a waiting car outside the prison.

Choi was sentenced to 18 years in prison, a fine of 20 billion KRW, and a confiscation of 6.3 billion KRW in June 2020 for charges including abuse of power and bribery, and is currently serving her sentence at Cheongju Women's Prison. She had applied for suspension of sentence execution four times citing health deterioration, but all were rejected.

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