Ruling and Opposition Clash in Legislation Committee: "Mandatory Arrest Warrant for Lee Jae-myung" vs. "Investigation of Kim Gun-hee"

People Power Party "Cannot avoid filing warrants for Seongnam FC and Daejang-dong cases"
Democratic Party "Prosecutors conducted Kim Geon-hee's written investigation, so why can't they make a decision?"
Han Dong-hoon "Proceedings started under previous government... ongoing now, so no further comments"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 15th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the prosecution's investigation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Geon-hee, the First Lady, at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The People Power Party emphasized the inevitability of requesting an arrest warrant for Lee, while the Democratic Party criticized the prosecution for failing to decide whether to indict Kim in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case despite conducting a written investigation. Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon refrained from commenting, saying it was an "ongoing matter."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Park Hyung-soo, a member of the People Power Party, said, "Regarding Seongnam FC and the Daejang-dong case, I believe it is unavoidable not to request an arrest warrant for Leader Lee Jae-myung," and asked Minister Han, "Others related to (Leader Lee) have been detained, so how can someone higher up not be detained? If the evidence is sufficient, it is only fair to request an arrest warrant in this case. What is your view?"

Minister Han replied, "The prosecution will handle the case according to the usual standards based on evidence and facts."

Regarding reports that the prosecution might request an arrest warrant for Leader Lee as early as tomorrow, Park asked, "Have you been briefed on this?" Minister Han answered, "I have not received any report related to the arrest warrant request."

Park emphasized, "Leader Lee has consistently argued that members of the National Assembly should waive their immunity from arrest during his time as Gyeonggi Province governor. He also said that when the prosecution's immunity for former President Park Geun-hye was lifted, they should have immediately prepared an arrest warrant and shown the public the image of her being handcuffed outside the Blue House. If we reverse this statement, it means that whether a party leader or a member of the National Assembly, if there is a crime, we should show the public the image of handcuffing. Isn't this consistent?"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon and Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection Choi Jae-hae are seated at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the other hand, Democratic Party lawmakers criticized the acquittal in the first trial of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who received 5 billion won as severance pay from his son, and the prosecution's insufficient investigation into the stock manipulation allegations involving Kim Geon-hee and Deutsche Motors.

In particular, when Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom continued questioning Minister Han about the Deutsche Motors case, a tense exchange ensued. Kim asked Minister Han, "The Prime Minister previously acknowledged during a government question session that there was a summons for Kim Geon-hee but later changed his stance. He said the Ministry of Justice confirmed this, but is the Ministry's official position that 'there was no summons notice'?"

Minister Han replied, "I asked the staff, and they said there was no summons investigation but a written investigation was conducted."

Kim asked again, "Did they send a response to the written investigation?" Minister Han responded, "According to what I was briefed, a written investigation was conducted." Kim said, "This is the first time hearing this. Then why, after the written investigation, has the case been handled as no charges or prosecution without a decision?"

Minister Han said, "The investigation has been ongoing since the previous administration. I believe they will carefully consider the first trial results and conclude the investigation."

Another lawmaker from the same party, Kwon Chil-seung, asked, "Did you receive a report that a response to the written inquiry was received? Has there been no written investigation since President Yoon Seok-youl took office?" Minister Han replied, "Judging by the timing, it was not recent but during the previous administration. Regarding the investigation dates in the ongoing investigation, it is not appropriate for me to disclose further details," and refrained from elaborating.