Seoul: Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, detained on insurrection charges related to his involvement in the December 3 martial law imposition, has filed an appeal to overturn a court's decision that granted him bail.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court earlier accepted the prosecution's request to grant bail to Kim, despite objections from his legal team. This decision comes with only 10 days remaining before Kim's detention period was set to expire. Kim was initially arrested on December 27 for advising former President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law and allegedly drafting the related decree. He is accused of deploying military units to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from voting against Yoon's martial law declaration.
Kim's legal representatives have filed an appeal and requested a stay order to halt the court's decision. They argue that the bail effectively prolongs Kim's detention, as he was nearing release. "It is not a decision to release but merely a means to illegally extend the state of detention that Kim is in," stated the legal team. They further described the court's decision as unconstitutional, claiming it unjustly limits Kim's basic rights and freedom of action.
The court has set bail at 100 million won (approximately US$73,400) with conditions that prohibit Kim from contacting Yoon and others involved in the martial law case. Notably, the bail request originated from the prosecution, a departure from the usual practice where defendants seek bail.
Kim's statutory six-month detention period was due to end on June 26, which would have allowed his release without restrictions shortly thereafter. However, the court's decision to grant bail, despite Kim's objection, appears to aim at mitigating any unforeseen developments during the ongoing trials linked to the martial law declaration.
Kim had initially sought bail a month after his arrest, but his request was denied by the Seoul Central District Court. An appeal of that decision was also rejected by the Seoul High Court.