The Seoul High Court on Sunday rejected an application from ex-President Park Geun-hye's confidante Choi Soon-sil to be allowed to meet people other than her lawyers in prison.

Choi is barred from contacting other witnesses in the corruption and influence-peddling case, and as she is accused of rampant nepotism, witnesses include practically everyone she knows.

Choi earlier this month argued her human rights are being violated because she has only had contact with her lawyers since she was arrested on Oct. 31, 2016. She said she is not accused of high treason or other capital offenses and there is no material evidence to destroy.

She also said she suffers from depression as a result of her effective isolation and cannot even get books delivered to her from outside.

But the court refused to lift the order, saying there remains a clear and present risk of Choi trying to destroy evidence or manipulate witnesses.

