"The Representative Investigation is a Political Incident"
"Party Should Adopt a Policy Opposing the Arrest Consent Bill"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Yang Bu-nam, the legal committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, refuted claims within the party that the arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, should be approved based on Lee’s past presidential campaign pledge to waive parliamentary immunity. Yang argued that "waiving parliamentary immunity only applies when the investigation involves disgraceful matters or personal corruption."
On the 17th, Yang stated on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "We regard this investigation as a political attack to eliminate an opponent and destroy the opposition party. In that case, parliamentary immunity is a guaranteed right intended to be exercised in such situations," he said.
In the past, Lee pledged during his presidential candidacy to waive parliamentary immunity. Parliamentary immunity is one of the privileges of lawmakers, which protects them from arrest or detention without the consent of the National Assembly during a session, except in cases of flagrante delicto. To execute an arrest warrant against sitting lawmaker Lee, the National Assembly must approve a motion for consent to arrest.
Yang said, "Lee also said during his presidential campaign, 'Let's give up parliamentary immunity,' but that applies only when the investigation process is normal and the investigation involves disgraceful acts or personal corruption. I think waiving it in this case is unwise."
Within the party, opinions are divided on whether to adopt a party stance to reject the motion for consent to arrest. Yang said, "If we do not adopt a party stance on such an issue, then what issues would we adopt a party stance on? This is not just about Lee as an individual; it is about protecting the opposition party and democracy," he said.
He added, "Regardless of whether one is pro-Lee or anti-Lee, all lawmakers will naturally vote against it. Even if it is not adopted as a party stance, I expect it will be rejected. Beyond that, I personally think that issues like this should be adopted as a party stance."
When Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon previously requested the National Assembly’s consent to arrest Democratic Party lawmaker Roh Woong-rae, he mentioned the "rustling sound of money envelopes," which sparked outrage within the Democratic Party. Yang expects Minister Han to provide similarly detailed reports this time. He said, "The government’s goal is to portray Leader Lee as disgraceful and somehow obtain consent to arrest. Therefore, they will explain this in detail," adding, "That is inappropriate."
Yang also expressed confidence that Minister Han’s strong remarks would lead to the rejection of the motion for consent to arrest. In response to the host’s question, "Minister Han’s remarks were so strong that the Democratic Party cast an overwhelming number of opposing votes last time. Do you think the same will happen this time?" he said, "Yes, the stronger the remarks, the more lawmakers will develop resentment," and predicted, "The number of opposing votes will exceed 161."
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