[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, predicted that if a motion to consent to the arrest of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is submitted, it is highly likely to be approved in the National Assembly. He said that at least 35 members of the Democratic Party would vote in favor.
On the 31st, on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' Rep. Ha commented on Lee’s decision to comply with additional summons from the prosecution, saying, "If the motion to consent to the arrest is brought to the National Assembly, Lee will probably be quite anxious."
He added, "From the prosecution’s standpoint, if the suspect does not appear, an arrest warrant is usually issued. So, issuing an arrest warrant is essentially the same as the motion to consent to the arrest being sent to the National Assembly," and said, "If the motion to consent to the arrest comes up, it is highly likely to be approved."
He also noted that many members within the Democratic Party are uneasy about the 'Lee Jae-myung regime.' Rep. Ha said, "Lee’s detention would actually be better for the future of the Democratic Party. Otherwise, if the 'Lee Jae-myung party leader system' continues until next year’s general election, will the party remain intact? The party could break apart," adding, "From the perspective of Democratic Party members, since they think it is impossible to have Lee step down from the leadership, if they support the motion to consent to the arrest, I believe at least 35 votes in favor will come from within the Democratic Party as well."
Because the motion to consent to the arrest is decided by a secret ballot, it is impossible to know who voted in favor. Kim Woong, a fellow party member and lawyer, also offered an interpretation on his social media that Lee’s attendance was to avoid the risk of the motion to consent to the arrest. Kim said, "Lee’s change of attitude to appear is likely due to difficult internal circumstances within the Democratic Party," and added, "The vote on the motion to consent to the arrest is a secret ballot. If more than 110 members from the People Power Party attend and 40 votes from the Democratic Party follow the natural course, the possibility of the motion being approved is not small."
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