Kwon Seongdong's Arrest Motion Passed... Democratic Party Largely in Favor Amid People Power Party Boycott

Song Eonseok: "Clear Oppression of the Opposition, Political Retaliation"
Kwon Seongdong Denies Allegations: "Please Vote in Favor"

The motion for the arrest consent of Kwon Sungdong, a member of the People Power Party who is under suspicion of accepting illegal political funds, was passed at the National Assembly plenary session on September 11, 2025.

As a result, the decision on whether to detain Assemblyman Kwon now rests with Nam Sejin, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court.

Kwon Sungdong, a member of the People Power Party who has been indicted on charges of accepting illegal political funds, is seated at the National Assembly plenary session on the 9th, where the motion for his arrest consent is being reported. 2025.9.9 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the plenary session held in the afternoon, the National Assembly voted on the motion for Kwon's arrest consent, with 173 out of 177 members present voting in favor, 1 against, 1 abstaining, and 2 invalid votes, thus passing the motion.

Members of the People Power Party left the plenary chamber after only listening to Kwon's personal statement, abstaining from the vote, and went on to denounce the special prosecutor's team and the Democratic Party.

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "The special prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant for Assemblyman Kwon is clearly an act of oppression against the opposition," adding, "This is political retaliation by the Lee Jaemyung administration for his strong criticism of Lee Jaemyung, the then leader of the ruling party, when Kwon was the floor leader of a minority party."

Song continued, "Therefore, People Power Party members did not participate in the unjust vote on the motion for the arrest consent, which aims to eliminate the opposition," and added, "However, Assemblyman Kwon himself declared that he would confidently and honorably give up his parliamentary immunity and vote in favor of the arrest consent motion. We respect his decision."

Prior to the vote, Assemblyman Kwon stated in his personal remarks, "All of the allegations raised by the special prosecutor against me are false," and added, "On the day the provider allegedly delivered 100 million won,

it was the first time I had ever met with the provider one-on-one. Who would ever exchange illegal political funds at a first private meeting?"

He continued, "No matter how unfair this is, I will not appeal my innocence to the Democratic Party," and emphasized, "But if I may ask just one thing of the Democratic Party, please let the political retaliation end with me."

Addressing members of the People Power Party, Kwon said, "You must think of our party first, not your colleague Kwon Sungdong, and I earnestly ask you to willingly cast your vote in favor of my arrest consent motion."

After the vote, Kwon stated, "Since I appealed for the passage of the arrest consent motion, I participated in the vote."

According to the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor's team, Kwon is suspected of having received 100 million won in political funds in cash from the Unification Church on January 5, 2022, allegedly for supporting Yoon Sukyeol, who was then a presidential candidate.