Democratic Party on Jeong Jeong-sun Arrest Warrant Request: "Handled According to National Assembly Act"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] On the 28th, the Democratic Party of Korea announced that it will handle the case of party member Jeong Jeong-sun, who has had an arrest warrant requested against him for violating the Public Official Election Act, according to the proper procedures.

Choi In-ho, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated after the news of the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant became known, "After the court's decision is made, the Democratic Party will handle it according to the procedures stipulated by the National Assembly Act."

The Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office requested the arrest warrant on the day as Jeong repeatedly failed to appear after several summonses since mid-August, and the statute of limitations for election-related crimes (October 15) was approaching. Jeong is suspected of violating the Public Official Election Act, the Political Funds Act, and the Personal Information Protection Act in relation to the April 15 general election.

The Cheongju District Court plans to send a request for consent to arrest to the National Assembly if, after review, it deems the arrest necessary.

For an arrest warrant to be issued against a member of the National Assembly, the consent procedure of the Assembly is required. Under current law, a member of the National Assembly cannot be arrested or detained without the Assembly's consent during a session unless caught in the act. Even if arrested or detained before a session, they have immunity from arrest and detention and can be released upon the Assembly's request.

When the court sends the request for consent to arrest, the National Assembly must report it at the nearest plenary session and then vote on the consent motion between 24 hours and 72 hours later. The consent motion passes with a majority of the members present out of a quorum of more than half of all members (300 members). However, since the Democratic Party holds 174 seats, which is a majority, it can unilaterally approve or reject the motion according to the party line.