People Power Party, 'Jeong Jeong-sun Arrest Consent Vote' Practically Absent... "Let the Democratic Party Decide"

Democratic Party Leaves It to Free Vote... Most Likely to Participate in Voting

Jeong Jeong-sun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, against whom a motion for arrest consent was proposed due to allegations of accounting fraud in the 21st general election, is attending the 'President Moon Jae-in's 2021 Budget Address' held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Im Chunhan] On the 29th, the People Power Party will effectively abstain from voting on the arrest consent motion for Jeong Jeong-sun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. This is intended to leave the decision on whether to consent to the arrest of their party member to the Democratic Party itself.

The People Power Party decided to leave attendance at the plenary session scheduled for 2 PM that day to individual lawmakers' discretion. Floor leader Joo Ho-young said, "Since it is the processing of an arrest consent motion for a Democratic Party member, we believe it is appropriate for the Democratic Party to decide."

The arrest consent motion in the National Assembly is conducted by secret ballot, making it impossible to know who voted for or against. Since the Democratic Party alone can pass the arrest consent motion, the People Power Party appears to be effectively abstaining from the vote to test the Democratic Party's willingness to vote. The Democratic Party's floor leadership has repeatedly stated their position that "there is no shielded National Assembly."

The Democratic Party decided not to adopt a party line and to leave the vote to individual lawmakers' discretion. Floor spokesperson Park Seong-jun stated, "There will be a party meeting at 1 PM. Since the plenary session is at 2 PM, most lawmakers are expected to vote."

The arrest consent motion is passed by a majority of the total members present and a majority of those present voting in favor.