“Determination of the specific treatment according to the progress of the investigation”
Possibility to request a mandate for ancillary expenses
Prosecutors are considering whether to reapply for a term after the National Assembly rejected a motion to arrest Democratic Party lawmaker Noh Woong-rae for corruption and violating the political fund law. As the prosecution is also conducting an investigation into the source of the “300 million won package” found at Rep. Roh’s home, there are comments that if further criminal charges are found, they may start securing new recruits again.
The 2nd Anti-Corruption Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office (Director Kim Yeong-chul) believes that an investigation into the arrest of Representative Roh is still needed. A prosecution official said on the 3rd: “The reason for the arrest is clear for personal bribery using the position of a member of the National Assembly.” Prosecutors believe the Democratic Party of Korea-led “Bangtan National Assembly” has blocked a legitimate prosecution investigation.
In the plenary session of the 28th of last month, the National Assembly rejected the motion for the arrest of Rep. Roh with 101 votes in favor, 161 against and 9 abstentions out of 271 present. As a result, on the same day, Chief Justice Kim Jung-min in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court rejected the request for an arrest warrant without determining whether the charges had been clarified and whether the reason for the arrest had been recognized.
There is also the possibility that the prosecution will request an arrest warrant after the 8th, at the end of the Extraordinary National Assembly. However, the reconvening of the Extraordinary National Assembly being under discussion, there is the possibility that it will be rejected again even if the mandate is requested again. A prosecution official said: “The motion to arrest is only a preliminary procedure and it is regrettable that it has been rejected.”
Prosecutors are investigating the source of the 300 million won in cash found during the seizure and search of Rep. Roh’s home in November last year. Prosecutors are trying to figure out the issuing bank and date of issue after checking the serial number and money belt. Rep. Roh insisted on his innocence, saying: “The publication ceremony of 2020 and the granting of authorship of 2014”. However, the indictment is investigating the source over the possibility that the illegal funds were mixed because the timing of part of the money creation did not match Rep. Roh’s statement. If the prosecution finds new criminal charges, it can supplement the evidence later to secure new recruits.
Rep. Roh is accused of having received a total of 60 million won from businessman Mr. Park on five occasions in the name of various business aid, permits and permits of civil servants, personnel arrangements and expenses for the 21 elections general from February to December 2020.
Journalist Kwak Jin-woong
