Parliamentary Vote Held for Opposition Lawmaker`s Arrest

The ruling Grand National Party Thursday decided to put to a parliamentary vote the prosecution’s request for approval of the arrest of an opposition lawmaker alleged to have embezzled funds.

If the main opposition Democratic Party convenes an extraordinary parliamentary session next month, a motion to approve the arrest of Rep. Kang Sung-jong will likely be introduced. Prosecutors say Kang embezzled money from a private school foundation while serving as chairman of the school board.

The ruling party’s decision is an apparent retaliation to its rival’s attack over Rep. Kang Yong-seok, a ruling party legislator alleged to have made offensive comments about women. The Democratic Party immediately protested the decision, so political wrangling will likely intensify over the handling of Kang Sung-jong’s arrest.

In a phone interview with The Dong-A Ilbo, ruling party floor leader Kim Moo-sung said Kang Sung-jong is suspected to have embezzled some eight billion won (6.6 million U.S. dollars).

“If we fail to introduce the motion for approval of his arrest per the prosecution’s request, we will be criticized for protecting fellow lawmakers,” he said.

At a meeting of leading ruling party members, Kim criticized the Democratic Party for convening a National Assembly session to shield one of its own from prosecution.

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