A parliamentary motion clearing the way for the arrest of sitting lawmaker Lee Seok Ki passed the National Assembly earlier this afternoon by 258 votes to 14. Eleven lawmakers abstained, while a further six votes were discarded as invalid.

Lee stands accused by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and prosecutors of “conspiracy to stage a rebellion,” a de facto treason charge relating to his alleged leadership of a “Revolutionary Organization” whose aim is to overthrow the South Korean state.

Speaking in advance of the vote, Lee told the assembled chamber, "It would be an indelible mistake for the National Assembly to go along with a fabricated rebellion conspiracy of which I will be acquitted in just a few months’ time." Five other lawmakers also spoke prior to the vote, with a number voicing their concerns over the timing of the conspiracy revelations, and those from the left particularly cautioning against accepting the claims against Lee being made by the NIS.

Prior to today’s vote, opposition Democratic Party Chairman Kim Han Gil stated, "Anyone who says that in the event of war they would fight with the enemy against the Republic of Korea is, in essence, saying that they would thrust a dagger into our backs and the backs of our children. Such people cannot be forgiven." Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Hwang Woo Yea also spoke, asserting, "The Saenuri Party will again stand on its base of love for this country, along with basic law and order."

Security reinforcements were mobilized in preparation for the National Assembly vote, with police believing that a clash was possible. However, in the end the event passed off relatively smoothly.