Prosecutors Ban Democratic Party Lawmaker No Woong-rae from Leaving the Country over Bribery Allegations

No Woong-rae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, legal affairs specialist] The prosecution has imposed a travel ban on Democratic Party lawmaker No Woong-rae, who is under investigation for bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act.

According to legal sources on the 22nd, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-chul) recently imposed the travel ban on Representative No.

No is accused of receiving a total of 60 million won from businessman Park Mo (62) from February to November 2020, under the pretext of election expenses for the 21st National Assembly election, among other charges (bribery and violation of the Political Funds Act).

Park is known as the person who previously provided 940 million won in illegal political funds and brokerage fees to former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jung-geun, who was indicted and detained earlier.

The prosecution believes that Park requested favors related to the expedited Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real demand verification process for the logistics complex development project, support for solar power projects, and personnel appointments of the local National Tax Service chief and executives of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd., while delivering money to Representative No.

During a recent search of No's residence, the prosecution is currently verifying the source of approximately 300 million won in cash seized, suspecting that some of the money received from Park is mixed in.

Through forensic analysis of Park's mobile phone, the prosecution has also secured text message exchanges between No and Park following the receipt of the money.

The prosecution plans to summon Representative No as a suspect for investigation once the analysis of seized items and witness interviews are completed.

Meanwhile, the prosecution is reportedly expanding the investigation after discovering evidence that other ruling and opposition politicians are involved with Park or former Deputy Secretary-General Lee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.