![Heo Gyeong-yeong, honorary chairman of the National Revolutionary Party, answers reporters' questions after making a statement at the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency in Geum-o-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, on July 19, 2024. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/05/news-p.v1.20260605.3319487688a54194ac13ac8d53f8c353_P1.jpg)
Heo Gyeong-yeong, honorary chairman of the National Revolutionary Party, has filed a third bail request with the court while standing trial on charges including fraud and quasi-forcible indecent assault. He cited deteriorating health and said he turns 80 next year, while flatly denying the assault allegations and calling the victims' claims "100 percent fiction."
The bail hearing was held Thursday before the 11th Criminal Division of the Uijeongbu District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Yang Cheol-han.
Heo's legal team argued that his advanced age and declining health warranted release from detention, but prosecutors pushed back, citing a risk of evidence destruction and saying continued detention was necessary.
His defense attorney said the detention period tied to the consolidated cases was nearing expiration and urged the court to allow the trial to proceed with Heo free.
"The defendant will turn 80 next year, and today marks his 1 year and 19th day in detention," the attorney said. "He underwent hernia surgery and a discectomy before his arrest but was detained before making a full recovery, and he is suffering serious pain."
The attorney added that bail "does not mean acquittal" but is a legal mechanism that allows a defendant to properly exercise the right to a defense under the presumption of innocence.
Heo took the stand to deny the quasi-forcible indecent assault charges outright, insisting he had been wronged.
"I have provided free meals for 55 years, and I have a compulsive cleanliness habit — I only meet people in public places," he said. "I am so sensitive to smells that I can barely be near someone for more than a second. How could I have committed any assault?"
He went on to call the victims' claims "100 percent fiction."
He also said he would "reveal the truth before the Constitutional Court if necessary," adding that someone who had run for office multiple times would not violate political funding laws.
Prosecutors, however, strongly maintained that detention remained necessary for the consolidated additional charges.
"Above all, there is a risk of evidence destruction, and it appears he may attempt to influence the statements of those involved," prosecutors said, arguing that additional arrest warrants were needed for the consolidated cases.
The court is expected to rule on the bail request as early as next week. Heo had previously filed bail requests in August and December last year, both of which were rejected.
The political funds law violation and embezzlement cases against Heo have concluded their arguments, while the fraud and quasi-forcible indecent assault cases are still under deliberation following a change of presiding judges.
yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com
