Seoul: Lee Jin-sook, the former head of the now-defunct Korea Communications Commission (KCC), filed a request on Friday for a court review of the legality of her detention. She was taken into custody the previous day on suspicion of violating the election law and breaching political neutrality. The questioning lasted approximately three hours on Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee’s request was submitted to the Seoul Southern District Court, arguing that the alleged offenses could not be substantiated, as stated by her lawyer, Lim Moo-young. Lim shared these details with reporters at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station, where Lee is currently being held.

Police announced plans to resume questioning Lee in the morning and will make a decision later in the day regarding the pursuit of a formal arrest warrant. The former KCC chief is accused of breaching political neutrality by making partisan remarks on conservative YouTube channels in September of the previous year. These remarks were also deemed as a violation of the election law, allegedly aimed at obstructing the election of President Lee Jae Myung.

Authorities indicated that Lee’s detention followed her repeated failure to comply with summonses for questioning. However, Lee argued that she had provided reasons for her absence on each occasion. Her detention coincided with her automatic removal from office, following the enactment of a government reorganization bill. This bill abolished the KCC, the state telecommunications regulator, and established a new body, the Korea Media and Communications Commission, to oversee the broadcasting and telecoms sectors.

Lee was appointed to a three-year term by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in July 2024.