SEOUL, Aug. 4 – Two former lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) attended court hearings today regarding potential arrest warrants in connection with a cash-for-votes scandal surrounding the party’s 2021 leadership election. Representatives Youn Kwan-suk and Lee Sung-man, who are now independent after leaving the DP, are accused of distributing cash envelopes to 20 DP lawmakers as part of the election campaign for former DP leader Song Young-gil.
In May, the prosecutors initially sought arrest warrants for Youn and Lee. However, their arrests were not permitted by the National Assembly, as lawmakers cannot be arrested without parliamentary consent while the Assembly is in session. This week, prosecutors re-applied for arrest warrants, taking advantage of the fact that the National Assembly is currently out of session until August 16.
Youn expressed his intention to sincerely respond to the court hearing and proactively explain himself. He stated this before attending a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. Meanwhile, Lee vehemently denied the allegations, declaring that he would do his best to convince the judge of the unjust nature of the prosecutor’s arrest warrant application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is the current status of the lawmakers involved in the cash-for-votes scandal in South Korea?
The lawmakers, Youn Kwan-suk and Lee Sung-man, who are now independent after leaving the Democratic Party, attended court hearings regarding arrest warrants for their alleged involvement in the cash-for-votes scandal.
What were the allegations against Youn and Lee?
They are accused of distributing cash envelopes worth 3 million won to 20 Democratic Party lawmakers during the party's 2021 leadership election.
Was the leader of the Democratic Party implicated in the scandal?
Former Democratic Party leader, Song Young-gil, was allegedly supported by the cash distribution, and he ultimately won the party's 2021 leadership election.
Were arrest warrants previously sought for Youn and Lee?
Yes, prosecutors sought arrest warrants for Youn and Lee in May, but the National Assembly rejected the request due to a legal provision stating that lawmakers cannot be arrested without parliamentary consent while the Assembly is in session.
Why can the court grant the arrest warrants now?
Prosecutors re-applied for arrest warrants this week, and the court can now grant them as the National Assembly is currently out of session until August 16.
How did Youn and Lee respond to the allegations?
Youn expressed his willingness to explain himself and stated that he would sincerely respond to the court hearing. Lee, on the other hand, vehemently denied the allegations and intends to prove the prosecutor's application for the arrest warrant as unjust.
When will the decisions regarding the arrest warrants be announced?
The decisions regarding the arrest warrants are expected to be announced by the Seoul Central District Court late Friday or early Saturday.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
