Seoul court chief says ex-leader's extended detention 'lawful'

A Seoul court chief said Friday the extension of former President Park Geun-hye's detention came in accordance with the law.

"The issuance of the arrest warrant was lawful," Kang Hyong-joo, the chief of the Seoul Central District Court, told a parliamentary audit.

The court approved last week an additional arrest warrant for the ousted leader standing trial for bribery and abuse of power. Park was otherwise to be released Monday.

Park's extended detention took a fresh twist this week as an international lawyers' group called MH Group alleged she is suffering from inhumane conditions in jail and that it is preparing to take the issue to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

When asked by Rep. Roh Hoe-chan of the Justice Party what he thinks of the accusation, Kang said, "Park is being detained with a warrant that has been legally issued by the court."

However, the court chief refused to give his viewpoint on Park's remark that she no longer trusts the judiciary, saying it's inappropriate for him to comment on a matter concerning an ongoing trial.

The former president decried the court decision during a court proceeding Monday, accusing the judiciary of not being fair with her case and insisting she's being made a victim of political revenge. She has renounced her right to counsel, and her lawyers have all resigned.

Source : Yonhap