After almost a year behind bars, one of South Korea's former presidents,... Lee Myung-bak,... was granted bail on Wednesday.
As the trial over his alleged corruption and bribery charges rumbles on,... the court made sure to lay down some tough ground rules for the former leader.
Oh Soo-young reports.
Former President Lee Myung-bak was released on bail on Wednesday, almost a year after he was jailed on corruption charges.
The Seoul High Court approved a conditional release after Lee's attorneys sought bail for health reasons.
While rejecting claims of Lee's illness,... the court said it considered the fact that Lee's appeals trial is unlikely to wrap up before his detention period ends next month.
Without a house arrest,... Lee would be freed without any conditions, which could risk him tampering with evidence.
In exchange for the 886-thousand dollar bail,... Lee has agreed to stay within the confines of his residence.
He has also been banned from meeting or communicating with anyone other than his immediate family and legal team.
Hospital visits will also have to be approved by the court.
Lee was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a lower court in October last year found him guilty of owning an auto parts company, creating an 11 million dollar slush fund, as well as taking bribes from Samsung in return for the release of its chairman Lee Kun-hee .
The 77-year-old has denounced the allegations as "political retaliation" by the country's liberals,... and has sought an appeal on his prison term ever since.
Lee served as South Korea's president from 2008 to 2013.
His successor, Park Geun-hye,... was also jailed and sentenced after a massive corruption scandal resulted in her impeachment.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.