S.Korea's former defense chief appeals granting of release on bail

ANKARA

In an unconventional move, South Korea’s former defense minister on Monday appealed a court decision to grant him release on bail in an ongoing insurrection case, arguing that the bail requirement actually extends his detention, Yonhap News reported.

Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun Kim was arrested in December over his alleged role in a failed attempt by the then-president to impose martial law.

His legal team on Monday filed a request to suspend the Seoul Central District Court's decision to release him on bail, which was granted at the prosecution's request.

In an unusual move, the prosecution – rather than the defense – requested bail, which the court approved even though Kim was due for release in 10 days as his six-month statutory detention period expires on June 26. In response, Kim's defense team objected to the prosecution's bail request.

The court set bail at 100 million won ($73,400) and imposed a set of restrictions, including barring him from meeting or communicating with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and others connected to the martial law case.

Kim, arrested on Dec. 27, is accused of ordering the deployment of troops from multiple military units to the National Assembly on Dec. 3 in an effort to block lawmakers from voting to reject Yoon’s martial law declaration.

The failed martial law move triggered snap presidential elections on June 3, resulting in the victory of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

The ruling party, which currently holds a majority in the National Assembly, is expected to elect its next leader in early August.

*Writing by Aamir Latif