Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption, will be released on bail Wednesday, ABC News reported.

According to the source, Lee's lawyers had called for his release, citing his age and what they described as deteriorating health.

The arrest warrant for Lee Myung-bak, who served as president of the country from 2008 to 2013, was issued on March 22, 2018. South Korean prosecutors accused the ex-president of bribery, misappropriation of funds, tax evasion, abuse of power, violation of electoral legislation, demanding 20 years in prison. The investigation also noted that Lee Myung-bak could illegally receive and appropriate funds from secret funds of the National Intelligence Service, intended to finance covert operations.

On October 5, 2018, the Seoul High Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison. The former head of state has repeatedly rejected all accusations, pointing out that the authorities are campaigning against conservative forces under the pretext of fighting corruption. Lee Myung-bak became the fifth South Korean ex-president to become a defendant in the criminal case.