Prosecutors Conduct Search of National Assembly One Day Before Vote on Arrest Warrant for No Woong-rae

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has launched an additional search and seizure operation related to allegations of bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act against Democratic Party lawmaker No Woong-rae.

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-chul) sent prosecutors and investigators to the Digital Policy Office within the National Assembly Communication Office from the morning of the 27th to conduct a search and seizure and secured data from the Legislative Information System.

The Legislative Information System is a platform where lawmakers can receive legislative materials from public institutions, and the prosecution explained that the search and seizure aimed to verify whether Lawmaker No received related materials to provide convenience in response to requests from businessman Park's side.

Last month, the prosecution also conducted a search and seizure at the Integrated Maintenance Office of the National Assembly Main Building's information system, seizing computers and servers containing data used by Lawmaker No during his tenure as chairman of the Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Communications Committee in the 20th National Assembly.

Lawmaker No is accused of receiving a total of 60 million won from businessman Park's side between February and December 2020 under the pretext of election expenses for the 21st National Assembly election, among other charges (bribery, mediation bribery, and violations of the Political Funds Act).

The prosecution believes that Park requested Lawmaker No to expedite the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's verification process for the logistics complex development project, support for the solar power business, and personnel appointments related to the local tax office chief and executives of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. while delivering the money.

On the 12th, the prosecution filed a pre-arrest warrant for Lawmaker No. Since sitting lawmakers have immunity from arrest or detention without the consent of the National Assembly during sessions, the Assembly plans to hold a plenary session on the 28th to vote on the arrest consent motion for Lawmaker No.

The arrest consent motion requires a quorum of more than half of the total members and a majority vote of the members present to pass. If approved, the court will decide on detention after a pre-trial hearing.

Lawmaker No's side protested, saying, "Re-seizing the National Assembly server that was already searched is a politically motivated 'political show' by the prosecution with no practical benefit," and added, "Conducting the search and seizure just one day before the vote on the arrest consent motion is a blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion and exert undue influence on the vote."

In response, a prosecution official stated, "The procedures to secure evidence were carried out according to the investigation situation without any other considerations, and the schedule was coordinated in advance to allow the suspect's side to observe," adding, "We hope that the plenary session tomorrow will yield results consistent with common sense, law, and principles."

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