Ex-DP lawmaker faces arrest after Nat'l Assembly passes motion over bribery allegations

SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion allowing the arrest of Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) over alleged bribery and breach of trust.

The motion was passed with 164 votes in favor and 87 against, with three abstentions and nine invalid ballots.

Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 local elections. The money was allegedly delivered to Kang's former aide, identified only by his surname Nam.

Before the vote, Kang said she had returned the money every time it was given, totaling 322 million won over five occasions, and added that she never demanded 100 million won and that it would not have been worth risking her career over that amount.

She said she believed she had lived by her principles, while admitting that her conduct was "immature."

In South Korea, lawmakers are immune from arrest during a parliamentary session unless the National Assembly votes to lift that protection.

Since the motion was passed, Kang now faces an arrest requested by prosecutors earlier this month, with a hearing expected in early March.