The National Assembly passed an arrest motion on Thursday against independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, who faces allegations of receiving illegal political donations in exchange for party nomination.
The motion passed with 164 votes in favor, 87 against, 3 abstentions, and 9 invalid ballots among 263 lawmakers present. The secret ballot vote clears the way for prosecutors to seek a court warrant for Kang's arrest.
Kang is accused of accepting 100 million won ($72,000) from former Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung in exchange for nominating Kim as a candidate for the Gangseo District seat in the 8th local elections. The Ministry of Justice submitted the arrest motion to the Assembly on Dec. 12 following the warrant request.
Sitting lawmakers enjoy immunity from arrest during parliamentary sessions, requiring Assembly approval before courts can hold pretrial detention hearings.
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said Kang allegedly received the cash at a Seoul hotel on Jan. 7, 2022, along with an improper request for nomination as a Seoul city council candidate. Jung cited the "seriousness of the case, flight risk, and possibility of evidence destruction" as grounds for detention.
Before the vote, Kang maintained her innocence in a floor speech.
"Whenever money was given, I returned it. I returned it again and again," Kang said. "They claim I demanded 100 million won, but that amount has no value worth staking my political life and career on."
"I returned the money five times. Does it make sense that I demanded it first?" she added. "The police are ignoring the full context of this case. I question whether they have any will to uncover the truth."
Kang also dismissed prosecutors' flight risk argument, saying, "Where would I, a sitting lawmaker, flee to?"
After the vote, Kang left the chamber without answering reporters' questions.
The Democratic Party of Korea, Kang's former party before she left, did not set a party position on the vote, leaving members to decide individually. The Rebuilding Korea Party recommended members vote in favor.
Following the Assembly's approval, the court is expected to schedule a pretrial detention hearing as early as next month.
