Joo Ho-young, Ahead of Ha Young-je's Arrest Motion, "Waiving Immunity Is No Different from Party's Position"

Vote on Arrest Motion for Assemblyman Ha Young-je to Proceed at Plenary Session on the 30th

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, emphasized before the vote on the arrest consent bill for Assemblyman Ha Young-je that "waiving the privilege of immunity from arrest is tantamount to the party's official stance."

On the afternoon of the 30th, Joo stated at the People Power Party's members' meeting held at the National Assembly, "We have declared several times that we will effectively waive one of the privileges of lawmakers, the immunity from arrest." The National Assembly is scheduled to hold a plenary session that afternoon to vote on the arrest consent bill concerning Assemblyman Ha.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Joo added, "We do not intend to set a party line regarding the arrest motion against a fellow lawmaker," but also said, "Each member can vote according to their own convictions or values as a constitutional institution. However, I ask you to keep in mind that if the number of consents is less than the number of our party members, the backlash we will have to bear could be significant."

For the arrest consent bill to pass, a majority of the total members must be present, and a majority of those present must vote in favor. However, with only 120 seats, it is difficult for the People Power Party alone to process the arrest consent bill. Therefore, the voting intentions of the Democratic Party of Korea members are crucial.

After the members' meeting, Joo also told reporters, "I don't think this is something to be decided as a party line," and explained, "However, by emphasizing that waiving the privilege of immunity from arrest was close to our party's stance, I have effectively requested members to vote in a recommended manner."

Assemblyman Ha was previously subject to an arrest warrant request by the prosecution on charges including violation of the Political Funds Act for allegedly receiving money in exchange for helping a preliminary candidate for the Gyeongnam Provincial Council election during the June 1 local elections last year.