Former President Park Geun-hye exhibited strange behavior in prison.

Park's lawyers argue that the pressure of the trial has affected her mental state, while some suggest this is merely a "strategy" to elicit sympathy and mitigate her charges.

Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Photo: Korea Times

Korea DailyOn July 11, it was reported that former South Korean President Park Geun-hye had exhibited strange behavior in prison while she was being held pending a court ruling on corruption charges.

Witnesses reported unusual behavior from Park in her cell at Seoul Central Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, or during court proceedings.

Previously, Ms. Park did not appear in court for the July 10th hearing. Her lawyer, Chae Myung-sung, stated that Ms. Park's left leg had been injured since July 7th and the injury was swelling.

Mr. Chae added, "Ms. Park's health and spirits have seriously deteriorated due to having to attend four court hearings every week."

According to the newspaper.Ilyo ShimmunA supervisor at Seoul Central Detention Center noted Park's strange behavior as she sat facing the wall and mumbled in an incomprehensible language. Initially, the supervisor thought she was praying, but upon closer listening, it wasn't English or Korean.

Furthermore, Ms. Park also showed signs of memory loss. When she met with her lawyer and assistant at the detention center, she seemed to forget the name of the assistant she regularly met with. Or sometimes she would have eaten, but 30 minutes later she would ask for food again.

According to a psychologist, her behavior is a sign of mental breakdown. This is perfectly normal given the sudden shift in Park's social standing from president to prisoner.

However, a South Korean lawmaker suggested that this was merely a carefully planned act of deception aimed at garnering sympathy from supporters and the Liberty Korea Party. Such actions could serve as a tool to help her escape the charges.

"The court needs to quickly deliver a verdict on Ms. Park," the lawmaker emphasized.

According to Dan Tri