South Korean court rejects government claim for Choi Seo-won's medical bills

A South Korean court has ruled against the government in a lawsuit seeking to recover approximately 39 million won in medical expenses paid on behalf of Choi Seo-won, a key figure in the former Park Geun-hye administration's influence-peddling scandal.

The dispute arose after Choi underwent shoulder surgery in 2020 following an injury sustained at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center. Due to her financial circumstances, correctional authorities paid her hospital bills in October 2020. However, the government did not initiate legal action to reclaim these funds until November 2023.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the statute of limitations for the state's monetary claim had expired. While the government argued that a previous notice sent to Choi served to interrupt the five-year limitation period, the court found that the notice did not meet the formal legal requirements for a proper 'payment notice' under the National Finance Act. Specifically, the court noted that the notice lacked necessary documentation, such as a formal payment resolution and a detailed basis for the amount calculated.