Approval of Arrest Motion for Assemblyman Sang-jik Lee Passed in National Assembly... Second Arrest Motion Passed in 21st National Assembly

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The arrest motion against Lee Sang-jik, an independent lawmaker accused of embezzlement and breach of trust involving company funds as the founder of Eastar Jet, passed the National Assembly on the 21st.

Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly, held a plenary session in the afternoon and proceeded with the vote on the arrest motion for Lee. Out of a total of 255 votes, 206 were in favor, 38 against, and 11 abstentions, resulting in the motion's approval.

This approval marks the 15th arrest motion passed in history and the second case in the 21st National Assembly following Jeong Jeong-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea.

In a personal statement on the day, Lee said, “I have sincerely cooperated with the prosecution's investigation related to Eastar Jet and have faithfully complied with summons and searches during the National Assembly session,” adding, “The arrest motion submitted today is the result of the prosecution's arrogance and dogmatism, where arrest means a successful investigation and no arrest means a failed one.”

He continued, “I have donated all shares held by my family to the company and have devoted myself to saving Eastar Jet,” and said, “Flights are expected to resume in July and August. We can rehire employees who unfortunately left the company, and unpaid wages will be resolved. The prosecution's request for an arrest warrant at this critical final stage is like a bolt from the blue.”

Lee, who was formerly a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, left the party last September amid growing controversy related to Eastar Jet, stating he would “earnestly clarify the suspicions.”