The mother-in-law of leading opposition presidential contender Yoon Seok-youl, who is currently appealing her three-year prison term for violating medical law, has been released on bail.

According to the judicial community on Thursday, the Seoul High Court approved the request by the woman, identified only by her surname Choi, citing health-related reasons.

Choi was convicted by a local district court for helping establish a nursing home with three others in 2013 without a medical license and accepting billions of won in state subsidies for its operation until 2015.

Choi denies she was engaged in the facility's management or operation, saying she had only lent money and her name upon the request of an acquaintance.