Assembly approves arrest of opposition lawmaker

The National Assembly Thursday approved a motion to allow the arrest of an opposition lawmaker charged with embezzlement, in a vote of 131-95 with four abstentions.

Rep. Kang Sung-jong of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) is accused of embezzling about 8 billion won ($6.7 million) from a private school foundation while working as chairman of the school board.

Last month, the prosecution asked the Assembly to allow his arrest.

The last time the parliament approved an arrest of a lawmaker was in 1995 against Rep. Park Eun-tae of an opposition party on bribery charges.