With 'Hayoungje Arrest Proposal' Likely Passed... Sympathy Theory 'Gently Rising' Democratic Party's Control?

Representative Hayoungje's Arrest Consent Bill Expected to be Voted on the 30th
Joo Hoyoung: "Declare Surrender Whenever There Is an Opportunity"

A motion to consent to the arrest of Hayoungje, a member of the People Power Party, was reported at the National Assembly plenary session on the 23rd. With a vote expected to take place at the plenary session on the 30th of this month, the People Power Party appears to have effectively decided as a party line to 'waive immunity from arrest.' However, some within the party have expressed sympathy for Representative Ha, drawing attention to the outcome of the parliamentary vote.

At the plenary session that day, the motion to consent to the arrest of Representative Ha, who has been issued an arrest warrant on charges including illegal political fund receipt, was reported. Representative Ha is accused of receiving 70 million won in exchange for helping nominate preliminary candidates for the Gyeongnam Provincial Council elections ahead of the June 1 local elections last year, and of receiving 57.5 million won from local government heads and aides under the pretext of covering regional office operating expenses.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As a sitting member of the National Assembly, Representative Ha has immunity from arrest and detention without the consent of the Assembly during sessions. The court can only hold a pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant examination) if the motion to consent to the arrest passes in the Assembly. The decision on whether to process the motion will be made at the plenary session scheduled for the 30th of this month.

The People Power Party has effectively settled on processing the motion to consent to the arrest of Representative Ha. After the party meeting that day, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "We have declared several times whenever we had the opportunity that we would waive immunity from arrest," adding, "Waiving immunity from arrest is close to a party line, and we have promised this several times. If there are any other opinions, please let us know."

Earlier that morning, members of the People Power Party also called for political reform through a constitutional amendment to abolish immunity from arrest. Fifty-one party members signed the petition, including Floor Leader Joo. Although these members have drawn a line stating that this is unrelated to the motions to consent to the arrest of Representative Ha and Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, it is interpreted as targeting Lee and the Democratic Party, who have effectively used immunity from arrest.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding up a placard at the Taegeukgi Flag Raising Campaign event condemning submissive diplomacy toward Japan, held in front of the National Assembly main building on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Representative Yoo Eui-dong said, "The pledge to the public is not intended to coerce other members or create a certain atmosphere," adding, "It is a promise made voluntarily to the people and is considered a means to faithfully fulfill the National Assembly's original duties." Representative Park Jeong-ha also said, "It is a coincidence that a specific member has arisen, but it should not be linked to our movement," adding, "We plan to propose items related to the political reform process after careful consideration."

However, sympathy for Representative Ha has also emerged in some quarters. A first-term lawmaker said, "Some members who are close to Representative Ha seem to be concerned about the waiver of immunity from arrest."

Earlier, the Democratic Party held a party affairs committee meeting the day before and decided not to apply Article 80 of the party constitution to Leader Lee, who was indicted over the Daejang-dong scandal. Article 80 stipulates suspension of party duties upon indictment, but the party affairs committee regarded the prosecution's indictment of Leader Lee as "political oppression" and decided to apply an exception clause, allowing Lee to retain his position as party leader.

Because of this, some speculate that the Democratic Party, which rejected the motion to consent to the arrest of Leader Lee, may vote in favor of the motion regarding Representative Ha. Some within the ruling party say that the Democratic Party, holding 169 seats, holds the decisive power over the motion to consent to the arrest of Representative Ha. The vote on the motion will be conducted by secret ballot.