“The Crime Was Not Betraying” Daughter Chung Yoo-ra’s Cry Over Choi Soon-sil’s Nine Years in Prison

[Choice Times=Seollae Kim, Staff Reporter]

As of October 31, it has been nine years since Choi Soon-sil was incarcerated. Choi was convicted as the main figure in the Park Geun-hye administration’s “state affairs manipulation” scandal and sentenced to 18 years in prison, a fine of 20 billion won, and forfeiture of approximately 6.3 billion won. Her scheduled release date is February 8, 2038.

At the time, the crimes attributed to Choi appeared enormous. But looking back now, many feel they were not as grave as they were made out to be. An increasing number of people are questioning why Choi must still remain behind bars.

Choi’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, recently posted an appeal on her social media, urging her mother’s release by the end of the year. Below is the full text of her post. (Editor)

As my mother approaches her tenth year in prison, both her body and mind have been completely worn down. For three consecutive months, her requests for suspension of sentence have been denied. I swore to myself that I would never again engage in such meaningless efforts and that I would never submit another application for suspension. But after writing this letter, I am going to try one more time.

What exactly was the substance of the so-called “state affairs manipulation”? Among all those countless lies, was there even any truth?

Fabricated evidence, fabricated witnesses, endless lies. Those who actually lied have dragged out their trials, shown no remorse, and continue lying to this day.

I, too, question whether justice exists in this country.

What can a person in her seventies possibly do? What is it that they expect from her? Everyone else has been released—why is only my mother excluded? Why is even a suspension of sentence so difficult?

When I see my mother saying she doesn’t want to open her eyes anymore, I feel like I don’t want to open mine either.

More painful than being sick, she says, is not being able to see the people she misses. The people who destroyed someone else’s life with lies are eating well and living comfortably. If I could curse them, I would offer even my soul just to do so.

I thought I had no tears left when she said she was sorry she couldn’t do anything for me, and when she told me not to wait for her. But I guess that wasn’t true.

Because I am stubborn, because I cling to what is called the conservative camp and to the People Power Party that helps with nothing, it feels like my mother has suffered even more. I am sorry that I can do nothing for her, sorry that all I can do is wait.

She tells me not to come to visits because it’s cold and hard. She tells me to forget her and live well with my brother. But I still cannot give up.

Ten years ago, when everyone else betrayed President Park, the crime was not betraying. That was the crime.

Please help her receive treatment, at least through a suspension of sentence.

We have somehow dragged ourselves all the way to a retrial. Just once, I want to spend Christmas and the New Year with my mother. I want to at least hold a 70th birthday celebration for her. Is this modest wish really so difficult?

The wife of Cho Kuk received a suspension of sentence for a herniated disc. Even after submitting MRI evidence of a torn rotator cuff, why is my mother not allowed? Is it because she is not on the left?

Nonghyup Bank
302-1917-9707-81
Lee Yoo-joo (first child)

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