Re-submitted Arrest Motion for Opposition Lawmaker... Growing Dilemma for the Democratic Party

Rejection Means Criticism of BTS, Approval Means Detention Dilemma
Arrest Consent Bill Likely to Be Voted on at Next Month's Extraordinary National Assembly Session

The Democratic Party of Korea has once again fallen into a dilemma over the consent motion for the arrest of lawmakers. Agreeing to the arrest consent motion requested by the prosecution is problematic, and not agreeing is also problematic, creating a no-win situation.

The Democratic Party is in a position where it must make a judgment on the arrest consent motions for lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man, who were formerly members of the party. Although they are currently independents, they are effectively members of the party with a clear Democratic Party identity.

Earlier, on the 24th, the prosecution requested arrest warrants for both lawmakers on charges of violating the Political Parties Act. The arrest consent motions for the two lawmakers are expected to be reported to the National Assembly plenary session on the 30th and then put to a vote during the next extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

Since the approval or rejection of the arrest consent motions depends on the Democratic Party's choice, which holds 167 seats, the political burden is significant. If the motions are approved, the two lawmakers will undergo arrest procedures. However, if the motions are rejected, the party is likely to face criticism for being a shield party.

The public opinion toward the Democratic Party is also unfavorable, especially with the recent controversies such as the envelope money scandal at the party convention and the coin controversy involving independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, adding to the variables.

Previously, the People Power Party supported the approval of the arrest consent motion for lawmaker Ha Young-je, effectively agreeing to the arrest of their own party member. Although the court dismissed the arrest warrant and Ha avoided detention, the People Power Party's response at the time inevitably draws comparisons with the Democratic Party.

On March 30, at the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, a motion for consent to arrest People Power Party lawmaker Ha Young-je, who has been indicted on charges including illegal political fund receipt, was passed. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party plans to leave the vote on this arrest consent motion to individual discretion. Previously, the votes on the arrest consent motions for lawmakers Roh Woong-rae and Lee Jae-myung were also conducted without a party stance but were rejected.

Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok said, "The party's position on the arrest consent motion has not yet been decided, but we are deliberating." On the same day, he appeared on YTN Radio's 'Newskin Park Ji-hoon' and said, "From the regime's perspective, regardless of the outcome of the arrest warrant request, it is a no-lose and profitable business. If we reject it, they will blame the opposition, and if we approve it, the two lawmakers will be arrested."

Ahn added, "No one should forgive the act of distributing envelope money at the party convention, and it must be severely punished," but he also claimed, "The prosecution regime is taking the lead nationwide to portray the opposition as a corrupt group through incidents like the envelope money case and Kim Nam-guk's coin case."

Democratic Party Supreme Council member Seo Eun-sook also said, "It is not a situation where we can set a party stance." In an interview with BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' Seo said, "I think the lawmakers will individually consider this matter carefully," and added, "I believe a common-sense conclusion will be reached on how the arrest consent motion for sitting lawmakers will be handled."

However, she also pointed out, "Separately from this, it is true that many citizens are worried and concerned about the frequent abuse of arrest consent motions against sitting lawmakers, especially under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."