Search and Seizure of Kwon Seongdong and Lee Cheolgyu by Special Prosecutors on the 18th
"Speaker Woo Responds: 'If the Lawmaker Consents, It Cannot Be Prevented'"
Song Eonseok, the interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, strongly criticized the three special prosecutors' teams on July 18 for conducting searches and seizures of the National Assembly offices of lawmakers Kwon Seongdong and Lee Cheolgyu of the People Power Party, calling it "an excessive issuance of warrants."
After visiting the office of the National Assembly Speaker with lawmakers from the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the same day, Song told reporters, "I requested Speaker Woo Wonsik to urge investigative agencies and the judiciary to exercise caution and restraint regarding the irresponsible and excessive issuance of warrants for searches and seizures within the National Assembly premises." He added, "Speaker Woo responded that, regarding the search and seizure of lawmakers' offices, 'If the lawmaker personally consents, it would be difficult to prevent it.'"
He mentioned that when Shin Youngdae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, was subject to a search and seizure over bribery allegations related to the Saemangeum solar power project, Speaker Woo had asked prosecutors to use a voluntary submission process. Song explained, "I requested that Speaker Woo deliver a message asking investigative agencies and the judiciary to exercise the same level of caution in future warrant requests or issuances, as was done in the case of lawmaker Shin."
Song further stated, "Unfortunately, all I heard was that it would be taken into consideration. Since the Speaker previously commented that searches and seizures of the National Assembly should be handled with caution and preferably through voluntary submission, I once again urge the Speaker to issue a public message applying the same standard in this case as well."
He criticized, "It is known that lawmaker Kwon's remarks during a congratulatory address at an event have become an issue. Conducting a search and seizure over a single comment made during a congratulatory speech is an example of excessive issuance of warrants." Regarding lawmaker Lee, he pointed out, "Although he is being investigated as a reference witness, searches and seizures were conducted at his parliamentary office, local office, and residence."
On the same day, the special prosecutor team led by Lee Myeonghyeon, which is investigating allegations of interference in the Chae Sangbyeong case, conducted searches and seizures at lawmaker Lee's National Assembly office and residence. The special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, also simultaneously searched and seized lawmaker Kwon's National Assembly office and Gangneung office.
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