During Wednesday’s parliamentary plenary session, a motion was presented to seek the arrest of Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung. The National Assembly Act mandates that such motions be voted on within 72 hours of submission, setting the stage for a Thursday vote. This motion comes on the heels of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s endorsement to seek the parliament’s approval for Lee’s arrest. Lee faces multiple allegations, including breach of trust, bribery, involvement in a disputed land development project and unauthorized funds transfers to North Korea. With its 167-seat majority in the 297-member assembly, the DP can block this motion, echoing February’s events where similar allegations against Lee were thwarted in parliament. Lee has previously expressed willingness to waive his immunity outside the regular National Assembly session.

Separately, the DP initiated a motion on Monday to dismiss Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, attributing to him perceived missteps by the Yoon administration. These include the response to the release of ALPS-treated radioactive water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant and the mismanagement of the World Scout Jamboree. While the National Assembly will most likely approve the motion on Thursday owing to its majority, Yoon will likely dismiss it. He previously rejected two similar motions to dismiss foreign minister Park Jin and interior minister Lee Sang-min.