Bail Granted for Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bongshik on Charges of Participating in Martial Law

Kim Bongshik to Stand Trial Without Detention
Jo Jiho, Indicted Together, Was Granted Bail in January

The court on June 26 granted bail to former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bongshik, who had been indicted and detained on charges of participating in the 12·3 Martial Law. As a result, Kim will stand trial without being held in custody.

Former Seoul Police Chief Bongshik Kim is taking the oath as a witness at the 8th trial of President Yoon Sukyeol's impeachment held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on February 13, 2025. February 13, 2025. Photo by Constitutional Court

The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) approved Kim's request for bail on charges of participation in a major insurrectionary mission. Bail is a procedure that releases a detainee from custody upon payment of a deposit or fulfillment of other appropriate conditions.

The court set the following conditions for Kim's bail: submission of a written pledge, residence restrictions, a deposit of 100 million won, and compliance with designated conditions. The designated conditions include a prohibition on meeting or contacting, by any means including phone calls, any suspects, defendants, witnesses, or their representatives related to the case.

Kim filed for bail with the court on May 9.

Kim was indicted and detained on January 8 along with National Police Chief Cho Jiho, on charges of participating in the operation of arrest teams targeting key figures such as President Lee Jaemyung, who was then leader of the Democratic Party, and Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, as well as blocking the National Assembly during the 12·3 Martial Law.

Chief Cho's request for bail was granted by the court in January, and he is currently standing trial without detention. It is known that Chief Cho is suffering from blood cancer.

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