Chung Yu-ra [Newsis]
Chung Yu-ra [Newsis]

Chung Yu-ra said her family has been living "in hell" as hospital bills for her hospitalized mother, Choi Seo-won — also known as Choi Soon-sil — have climbed to 13.8 million won ($10,200).

Chung shared a letter written by Choi along with a hospital billing statement, which showed an outstanding balance of 13.8 million won as of Tuesday.

In a Facebook post Monday, Chung said the family has been prioritizing hospital bills above all else — including unpaid monthly rent and legal fees — because Choi would be sent back to prison the moment she is discharged. "We cannot keep up with the hundreds of thousands of won piling up every week," she wrote, appealing for public support.

Chung also warned that her mother could die if returned to the prison hospital, saying Choi is suffering from Cushing's syndrome and sepsis. "If you give us even a little attention, I will do my best on the front lines as a conservative," she wrote, and went on to share her son's bank account number.


husn7@heraldcorp.com