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Opposition Leader Lee Attends Key Court Hearing, Democratic Party Elects New Floor Leader

SOUTH KOREA

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung attended a court hearing today after parliament allowed prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant against him over corruption allegations. Yonhap News Agency reports that the Seoul Central District Court may announce its decision on his arrest as soon as tonight.

  • Lee attended the hearing after ending his 24-day hunger strike, which led to his hospitalisation. The politician started his protest citing the government's economic mismanagement and other policy matters.
  • Parliament's decision to waive Lee's arrest immunity came as a surprise as the legislature is controlled by his Democratic Party (DP). The decision was taken in a 149-136 vote which required defections from the ranks of the DP.
  • Hong Ihk-pyo was today elected the DP's new floor leader after Park Kwang-on resigned from the post on the back of his failure to stop the passage of the motion waiving Lee's arrest immunity.
  • Speaking to reporters after his election, Hong expressed hope that the charges against Lee will be dropped, while pledging to "create a driving force to win the general election next year together with party leader Lee Jae-myung".

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