Seoul: The justice ministry has officially requested the National Assembly's consent to detain Representative Kweon Seong-dong from the main opposition People Power Party, amid bribery allegations. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation involving the lawmaker.
According to Yonhap News Agency, last week, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team filed for an arrest warrant for Kweon. He is suspected of accepting illegal political funds amounting to 100 million won (approximately US$72,000) from a former Unification Church official, surnamed Yun, in 2022. The funds were allegedly given in exchange for Kweon's support of the church.
Under existing laws, sitting lawmakers in South Korea are immune from arrest while parliament is in session, unless the National Assembly consents to it. The Seoul court initiated the procedure to request this consent last Friday.
Once National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik receives the request, he is obligated to present the motion at the next plenary session. This session is expected to occur on September 9, following Woo's return from a trip to China. The motion will then be put to a vote 24 hours after it is reported. Should the motion pass, the court will proceed with an arrest warrant hearing for Kweon. Conversely, if the motion is rejected, the court will dismiss the warrant without conducting a hearing.