The appeal filed by former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun's side, protesting the court's decision for release on bail related to the martial law accusation of Dec. 3, has been dismissed. Although Kim's side noted, "We will be released not on bail but upon the expiration of the detention period," the court did not accept it.
On the 24th, the Criminal Division 20 of the Seoul High Court (Chief Judge Hong Dong-ki) dismissed the appeal from former Minister Kim's side.
Earlier, on the 16th, the Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Ji Kwi-yeon) had made a bail decision ex officio for former Minister Kim, who is facing charges of important duties related to a rebellion and abuse of power while in detention.
Former Minister Kim's maximum detention period of six months, as stipulated by the Criminal Procedure Act, will expire on the 26th of this month. If former Minister Kim is released after serving the full detention period, he could meet with related parties freely without any restrictions. The Central District Court made the conditional release decision, or bail, to prevent such a situation.
Former Minister Kim's side reacted to the court's bail decision, stating it is "essentially an extension of the detention status" and "an artificial restriction of fundamental rights," and filed an appeal to the high court on the 18th.