Warrants sought for four lawmakers on bribe charges

The prosecution on Tuesday asked the courts in Incheon and Seoul to issue arrest warrants for four lawmakers, suspected of taking kickbacks, to take them into custody.

They are Rep. Park Sang-eun of the ruling Saenuri Party and Reps. Shin Gye-ryoon, Kim Jae-yun and Shin Hak-yong of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy.

Park, the second-term governing party lawmaker, is under suspicion of taking illicit funds from either candidates who attempted to run in the June 4 local elections or from regional CEOs in the construction industry in Incheon.

The Incheon District Prosecutors' Office has been striving to reveal the source of the 630 million won ($611,000) that was found in cash in Park’s sedan and at his son’s residence.

The Seoul District Prosecutors' Office alleged that Shin Gye-ryoon and Kim Jae-yun took 50 million won and 15 million won respectively, in bribes, from a college. Rep. Shin Hak-yong was also reportedly involved in the alleged bribery.

The three opposition lawmakers earlier denied allegations.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)