On the afternoon of February 10, the Seoul Central District Court forwarded a request for the arrest of independent lawmaker Kang Seon-woo to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Kang is accused of accepting a 100 million KRW (about 75,000 USD) political donation from former Seoul city council member Kim Kyung.
Legal sources indicate that this request follows the prosecution’s application for arrest warrants for both Kang and Kim the previous day. The two are under investigation for violating political funding laws and for embezzlement.
Under the Constitution, lawmakers enjoy immunity from arrest or detention unless caught in the act of committing a crime. To arrest or detain a lawmaker, prosecutors must obtain approval through a process outlined in the National Assembly Act.
Article 26 of the National Assembly Act stipulates that any request for a lawmaker’s arrest must be routed through the Ministry of Justice and approved by the President before being sent to the National Assembly. Once received, the Speaker must schedule a vote within 24 to 72 hours after reporting it to the Assembly.
Kang and Kim are accused of exchanging 100 million KRW (about 75,000 USD) at a hotel in Yongsan in January 2022, just before local elections, in exchange for political favors. Kang allegedly pushed for Kim’s uncontested nomination as the Democratic Party’s candidate for the Gangseo District city council seat.
During the police investigation, Kim admitted to the allegations, while Kang denied any wrongdoing, claiming he received a shopping bag but was unaware it contained money.
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