In a potentially significant escalation of South Korea’s political tensions, the National Assembly voted on Thursday to lift the immunity of the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, opening the possibility for an arrest warrant on charges of embezzlement, bribery, perjury and other related offenses. The measure narrowly passed, garnering the approval of 149 legislators, while the remaining 136 were opposed. The vote exemplifies the intense political climate currently surrounding Jae-Myung, previously Seongnam’s mayor.
This move originates from the Ministry of Justice’s request to the National Assembly to approve Lee’s arrest, spurred on by a judge in the Central District Court of Seoul. The justice ministry’s request traces back to a February 16 arrest warrant request from prosecutors in the Central District regarding Lee’s alleged preferential treatment for particular development projects and his involvement in the sponsorship of the Seongnam football club’s activities.
All lawmakers in the National Assembly enjoy arrest immunity, a privilege only removable via a majority vote from the assembly, a condition Thursday’s vote satisfied. This vote follows an unsuccessful attempt on February 22 to lift Lee’s immunity. Since then, the allegations against Lee have grown, including suspicions of corruption involving another development project and accusations of money transfers to North Korea.
Lee faces accusations of illicitly profiting private companies during his mayorship of Seongnam by transforming a natural green zone in Bundang-gu, on the outskirts of Seoul, into a semi-residential area. This process allegedly excluded the Seongnam Urban Development Corporation from the process, reportedly causing damages of at least 20 billion won (roughly 16 million USD). Prosecutors also suspect Lee of making unauthorized transfers to North Korea in 2019, an act they believe is linked to a failed smart farm project in North Korea. With the United Nations imposing sanctions on the country, critics accuse Lee of soliciting bribes to authorise the impossible requests.
The opposition has repudiated these accusations, claiming the charges are politically motivated. On Friday, Lee responded to the developments, rallying his supporters and encouraging believers in the Democratic Party to remain steadfast. Lee expressed no intention of stepping down prior to any official issuance of an arrest warrant. Instead, the party countered on Friday with a petition to dismiss the arrest warrant request on the grounds that Lee’s arrest could impact the party’s ability to fulfill its duties.
Should the court issue an arrest warrant, not only would Lee face detention, but his ability to execute his leadership duties within the opposition could be curtailed. This development opens another chapter in what promises to be a pressing and potentially defining moment in South Korean politics.