Prosecutors Request Arrest Warrant for Assemblyman Shin Young-dae on Bribery and Internal Opinion Manipulation Charges (Comprehensive)

The prosecution has requested an arrest warrant for Shin Young-dae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, in connection with allegations of preferential treatment and corruption in the Saemangeum solar power project.

Front view of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
Photo by Jo Yongjun

On the 31st, the National Financial Crime Joint Investigation Team of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office (led by Chief Prosecutor Lee Il-gyu) announced that they have requested an arrest warrant for Shin on charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violations of the Public Official Election Act.

Shin is accused of receiving bribes worth about 100 million won from Seo, the representative of Gunsan Citizens Development Corporation, to resolve complaints related to the solar power project. The prosecution is also investigating allegations that Shin was involved in manipulating public opinion by using multiple mobile phones during the Democratic Party's preselection process for the 22nd general election in the Jeonbuk Gunsan·Gimje·Buan Gap district.

The prosecution conducted a search and seizure at Shin's office in June and summoned him for questioning in August. Shin is protected by parliamentary immunity during the National Assembly session. For the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) to proceed, a motion for consent to arrest must be passed in the National Assembly with a majority of the total members present and a majority approval of those present.