National Assembly votes against arrest of DP Rep. Noh Woong-rae

The National Assembly voted against a motion to allow the arrest of Democratic Party (DP) Rep. Noh Woong-rae Wednesday. Noh faces allegations of bribery.

Lawmakers vote on a motion to allow the arrest of Democratic Party Rep. Noh Woong-rae, who faces bribery allegations, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul Wednesday. The motion didn't pass. [YONHAP]

The National Assembly voted against a motion to allow the arrest of Democratic Party (DP) Rep. Noh Woong-rae Wednesday. Noh faces allegations of bribery.

The vote was 161 against, 101 in favor and nine abstentions. The DP holds a parliamentary majority with 169 seats.

Noh is accused of having taken about 60 million won ($45,785) in illegal funds from a businessman around the time of the 2020 parliamentary elections. He allegedly received the funds on five occasions from February to December 2020 from a businessman surnamed Park in return for various favors for his solar panel business.

Prosecutors suspect the four-term lawmaker representing Seoul's Mapo-A constituency took bribes and violated the Political Funds Act. They requested an arrest warrant for him earlier this month.

It is the fourth time an arrest warrant has been requested for a lawmaker during the current 21st National Assembly, which convened in 2020.

However, this is the first time lawmakers have overturned such a motion during the current parliament.

Noh, a journalist-turned-politician who previously worked as a news anchor for public broadcaster MBC, has denied all the allegations.

Speaking at the podium ahead of the parliamentary vote, Noh called the investigation an "abnormal" one and appealed for lawmakers to reject the motion.

"My arrest warrant was requested due to the prosecution's one-sided argument," said Noh. "Please give me a chance to defend myself properly."

Incumbent lawmakers have immunity from being arrested or detained while the National Assembly is in session, however, parliamentary consent is required. A court can only approve an arrest with National Assembly approval.

After a motion to allow the prosecution to arrest a lawmaker is reported at a plenary session, it must be put to a vote within 72 hours by the National Assembly speaker from the following day. There needs to be a quorum of half of the sitting members, and the motion will pass if half of these attendees are in favor.

The National Assembly previously consented to motions to arrest DP Rep. Jeong Jeong-soon, independent Rep. Lee Sang-jik and People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Jung Chan-min. Jeong and Lee lost their seats.

"The people will remember today's decision for a long time," Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon told reporters Wednesday, slamming the Assembly's rejection of the arrest motion.

On Nov. 16, prosecutors searched Noh's home and National Assembly office to seize evidence. During the raid of his residence, prosecutors discovered around 300 million won in cash in his closet, which they suspect could include some of the funds he received from Park.

Noh is accused of having first received 20 million won last February at a restaurant near the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, in return for granting favors for Park's solar panel business. He allegedly received bribes again in March, July, November and December.

On Dec. 6, Noh was grilled by prosecution for 13 hours and on Dec. 12, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested an arrest warrant for him.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]