Arrest Motion for Kwon Seongdong Reported to National Assembly...Ruling-Opposition Cooperation Faces Collapse After Just One Day

Kwon Seongdong’s Arrest Motion Likely to Be Voted on September 11-12
Stronger Special Prosecutor Law Set for Plenary Passage
Ruling and Opposition Parties, Once Opening Dialogue, Now Headed for Confrontation

A motion for the arrest of Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party who has had an arrest warrant requested on charges of receiving illegal political funds from the Unification Church, was reported to the National Assembly on September 9. On the previous day, President Lee Jaemyung and the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties shook hands for the first time, signaling the start of cooperation, but this is expected to be short-lived.

The motion for the arrest of Assemblyman Kwon, which was reported at the plenary session of the National Assembly on this day, is scheduled to be put to a vote between September 10 and 12. Once reported to the National Assembly, an arrest consent motion must be voted on between 24 and 72 hours later. On August 28, the special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife, requested an arrest warrant for Kwon on charges of receiving 100 million won in cash from the Unification Church in 2022.

Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party who has had an arrest warrant requested on charges of accepting illegal political funds, is attending the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 9th where the consent for his arrest is being reported, sitting in his seat. 2025.9.9 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The vote could take place as early as September 10, but it is more likely to be held on September 11 or 12. On September 10, Song Eonseok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, is scheduled to deliver a policy speech on behalf of the negotiation group, so the vote is expected to be avoided on that day. For the motion to pass, a majority of all registered lawmakers must be present, and a majority of those present must vote in favor. Since Kwon has already declared that he will forgo his parliamentary immunity from arrest, and the Democratic Party holds a majority of seats, there is a high possibility that the motion will pass under the leadership of the ruling party.

The People Power Party is expected to intensify its criticism of the ruling party, calling this a "crackdown on the opposition." This is the first arrest consent motion for a sitting lawmaker since the special prosecutor’s investigation began, and it comes just before the plenary passage of the "stronger special prosecutor law" that the Democratic Party is pushing through unilaterally. The party plans to finalize its response strategy at a general assembly of lawmakers just before the vote. Rather than boycotting the vote, the option of allowing a free vote is being discussed. Park Sunghoon, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on SBS Radio that day, "I think we will respond confidently by respecting Kwon's wishes as much as possible and allowing a free vote," adding, "However, we will take a firm stance against the politically motivated investigations being conducted by the three special prosecutors."

As a result, the cooperative atmosphere between the ruling and opposition parties, which had just begun to take shape, is expected to cool rapidly. In particular, President Lee's comments on prosecutorial and judicial reform were interpreted by the opposition as a signal to slow down, so if this does not materialize, a deterioration of the political situation will be inevitable. Contrary to the ruling party's expectations, Representative Jeong repeatedly emphasized the need to "settle the issue of rebellion" in his policy speech and pledged to push for the swift passage of the stronger special prosecutor law. Floor leader Song warned, "If President Lee's promise to fully reflect the opposition's position is not kept, it will be regarded as a complete lame duck for President Lee Jaemyung in Yongsan and as legislative dictatorship by Jeong Cheongrae, the 'Yeouido President.'"