Main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung made a surprise announcement Monday stating he would relinquish his parliamentary immunity from arrest. He attributed this move to perceived biased investigations against him and other political adversaries under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Lee’s declaration came during a National Assembly address, where he criticized the Yoon administration for focusing on “raids, arrests and political strife instead of addressing economic and diplomatic issues.” He underscored that the prosecution has conducted over 300 raids as part of an investigation targeting him, implicating individuals associated with him during his terms as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province.

Earlier this year, prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Lee on charges of corruption and bribery linked to his term as mayor of Seongnam. However, the DP-led National Assembly rejected the request for parliamentary consent needed to arrest him. Lee pledged to attend court hearings voluntarily should another arrest warrant be issued. He also vowed to expose what he considers the malicious tactics of the prosecution, criticizing the Yoon administration for allegedly neglecting its responsibilities towards the economy, diplomacy and the welfare of the citizens.