Lee Jae-myung 'August Warrant Request Rumor'... Stirring the Democratic Party

Prosecutor Investigation Expected to Intensify, 'Arrest Consent Bill' on the Test
"If for Public Opinion Manipulation, It Will Be Requested During the Session" Analysis

Amid expectations that the prosecution's investigation into Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding allegations of North Korea remittances by Ssangbangwool Group will intensify, rumors of an arrest warrant request in August have surfaced. Consequently, the party's lawmakers are once again expected to face a test over the 'arrest consent vote.'

According to political and legal circles on the 20th, Lee Hwa-young, former deputy governor of Gyeonggi Province, recently reversed some of his statements in his trial on charges of bribery and violation of foreign exchange laws, indicating that he requested Ssangbangwool's cooperation in facilitating Lee Jae-myung's visit to North Korea.

It was also reported that in a recent prosecution investigation, the former deputy governor testified that he reported to Lee Jae-myung about Ssangbangwool's payment of $3 million for the North Korea visit expenses.

In response, lawmakers within the party predicted that the prosecution would conduct the investigation to shake the Democratic Party and sway public opinion.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeong Seong-ho, a pro-Lee faction lawmaker, said on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' that "Since the prosecution's investigation has political intentions, if they try to disgrace or sway public opinion against the leader, they will likely apply during the parliamentary session," adding, "The prosecution will most likely request the warrant during the session, and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon will explain the arrest warrant in detail at the National Assembly to sway public opinion and cause internal strife within the Democratic Party."

Lee Won-wook, a non-Lee faction lawmaker, also predicted on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that "Judging by Han Dong-hoon's prosecution behavior, the warrant will probably not be submitted during the recess," and "After the session resumes, they might submit the arrest consent motion, putting Democratic Party lawmakers to another test."

Yoon Young-chan, another non-Lee faction lawmaker, stated on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Ultimately, the arrest consent vote is an inherent right and conscience of each lawmaker," and "Since they have said they will judge warrants with justifiable reasons, lawmakers will make wise decisions on that matter."

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