Ex-President Lee Myung-bak was released from jail again on Wednesday after just six days in detention following his conviction on appeal for corruption.
Lee had been sentenced to 17 years behind bars by the Seoul High Court last week and his bail was revoked. But Lee appealed and will now stay out of jail under virtual house arrest until the Supreme Court decides on the matter.
Earlier on the same day, Lee's lawyers argued for release from detention since the sentence was subject to immediate appeal at the Supreme Court. They said it was wrong to revoke his bail on the grounds that he poses a flight risk since he is under constant guard by security staff assigned to any ex-president.
The Seoul High Court responded that it had been unable to reach consensus and therefore bailed him again.
The reversal raised some eyebrows. Lawyer Choi Jin-nyeong said, "Citing the flight risk was far-fetched since Lee was confined to his home while on bail. The court has needlessly embarrassed itself."
