Choi Seo-won Granted 3-Month Suspension of Sentence for State Affairs Manipulation... "Spinal Treatment Needed"

Suspension of Sentence Execution Due to Spinal Surgery in 2022
Released for 130 Days at That Time

Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil, age 70), who is serving a long prison sentence for her involvement in the Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal, has been temporarily released for health reasons.

According to the legal community on June 2, the Cheongju District Prosecutors’ Office approved Choi's application for a three-month suspension of sentence execution the previous day.

It is understood that Choi applied for the suspension of execution, citing the need for treatment due to an infection in the area where she previously underwent spinal fracture surgery.

According to the Criminal Procedure Act, the execution of a prison sentence may be suspended if: ▲ there are significant concerns that imprisonment could seriously harm the inmate's health; ▲ the inmate is 70 years of age or older; or ▲ there is no one to care for an elderly direct ascendant or a young direct descendant.

Choi was indicted and detained on charges including abuse of power and bribery, and in 2020 was sentenced to 18 years in prison, a fine of 20 billion won, and an additional forfeiture of 6.3 billion won. She has been serving her sentence at Cheongju Women's Correctional Institution.

Choi was also released for 130 days in 2022 after the execution of her sentence was suspended due to spinal surgery.

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