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Former Liberty Korea Party floor leader Na Kyung-won answers reporters’ questions before attending her first trial hearing at the Seoul Southern District Court on September 21, 2020, over the 2019 National Assembly fast-track clashes. / Source: Yonhap News

Prosecutors have demanded prison sentences for lawmakers indicted over the 2019 National Assembly fast-track clashes.

At the Seoul Southern District Court’s Criminal Agreement Division 11 (Chief Judge Jang Chan) on September 15, the prosecution requested prison terms for Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty and Innovation Party, and Na Kyung-won, a lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who face charges including obstruction of special public duties.

The prosecution asked the court to sentence Hwang to one year and six months in prison and Na to two years. For Song Eon-seok, the PPP’s current floor leader, they sought 10 months in prison and a fine of 2 million won. Former lawmakers Kang Hyo-sang and Kim Myung-yeon were each recommended six months in prison and a 5 million won fine, while lawmakers Kim Jung-jae and Lee Man-hee were each given a recommendation of 10 months in prison and a 3 million won fine. Former lawmakers Min Kyung-wook and Lee Eun-jae faced demands of 10 months in prison and a 5 million won fine. Other defendants were recommended sentences ranging from fines of 2 million won to 10 months in prison.

The case stems from April 2019, when the Assembly’s special committees on judicial reform and political reform moved to fast-track bills on electoral reform, the establishment of a powerful new anti-corruption body, and adjustments to the investigative powers of police and prosecutors. In protest, then-opposition Liberty Korea Party lawmakers and aides allegedly confined Rep. Chae Yi-bae of the Bareunmirae Party in his office, occupied parliamentary chambers, and blocked ruling Democratic Party lawmakers from submitting bills and holding committee meetings.

A total of 27 Liberty Korea Party members, including Hwang and Na, and 10 Democratic Party members, including Park Beom-kye, were indicted. Former lawmaker Jang Je-won, then a sitting member of parliament, was dismissed from the case following his death.

Monday’s sentencing hearing took place more than five years and eight months after the initial indictments.