Prosecutors Request Arrest Warrants for Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man over 'Money Envelope Allegations' (Comprehensive)

The prosecution investigating the Democratic Party of Korea's '2021 Party Convention Money Envelope Distribution Allegation' has moved to secure the custody of independent lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man, who have been identified as key suspects.

Yoon Kwan-seok, Lee Sung-man Independent Members of Parliament
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-chul) filed arrest warrants on the 24th against Lawmakers Yoon and Lee for violating the Political Parties Act.

This is the first time an arrest warrant has been filed against a sitting member of the National Assembly in connection with this case. A prosecution official stated, "The distribution of money and goods related to elections within political parties is a serious crime that undermines the fundamental election system of democracy, distorts public opinion, and destroys the foundation of the constitutional order."

He added, "Since the suspects completely deny the charges and there are clear indications of evidence destruction, we judged that detention for investigation is necessary," emphasizing, "We filed the arrest warrants based on the minimum confirmed criminal facts."

Lawmaker Yoon is accused of conspiring with former party leader Song Young-gil and former Korea Water Resources Corporation Standing Auditor Kang Rae-gu during the April 2021 party convention to distribute a total of 60 million won to incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers to secure Song's election.

It was investigated that Lawmaker Yoon told Kang and other primary campaign officials, in essence, "I will provide money to the lawmakers, so give me the money," and received 60 million won in cash in two installments. Subsequently, the prosecution found that he provided 20 envelopes containing 3 million won each to lawmakers, urging regional delegates to vote for former leader Song or to maintain their support.

Lawmaker Lee is accused of providing 1 million won in mid-March 2021 to former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jung-geun as campaign operating expenses and 10 million won in cash at the end of March to Kang and others for regional headquarters chiefs to support former leader Song's election. He was also charged with receiving 3 million won in April of the same year under instructions from Lawmaker Yoon.

To secure the custody of Lawmakers Yoon and Lee, the National Assembly must pass a motion to consent to their arrest. According to the National Assembly Act, the Seoul Central District Court is expected to soon send a request for consent to arrest to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Then, the Ministry of Justice will receive the request from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, obtain presidential approval, and submit it to the National Assembly. After the Speaker of the National Assembly receives the request, it must be reported at the first plenary session convened thereafter and put to a vote within '24 hours after the report and within 72 hours.' If not voted on within 72 hours, it must be submitted and voted on at the next plenary session.

The motion to consent to the arrest of Lawmakers Yoon and Lee is likely to be reported at the plenary session on the 30th. The vote is expected to take place at the plenary session during the June extraordinary session. If the motion passes with a majority of the total members present and a majority of the members present voting in favor, the court will decide on the detention of the two lawmakers after a pre-arrest hearing (warrant review).

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