South Korean prosecutors prosecute opposition leader and 28 deputies over charges of assaulting and detention in scuffle in parliament.

Seoul prosecutor prosecuted leader of the opposition Korean Liberal Party (LKP) Hwang Kyo-ahn and 23 party MPs on charges of causing chaos in parliament and illegal detention. Five Democratic ruling lawmakers were also charged with assault.

In an attempt to prevent a bill from being passed in April 2019, LKP parliamentarians lay on the floor, intertwined to block the entrance of the committee office at the parliament building and lock a congressman in the office. His work for 5 hours. A brawl occurred when Democratic MPs sought entry into the hall.

According to the prosecutor, 18 of the 29 defendants will have to appear in court, including Hwang Kyo-ahn. The remaining people may only have to pay a fine because their offense is considered a misdemeanor.

The indictment was made three months before parliamentary elections in South Korea. If a congressman is fined 5 million won ($ 4,300) or more when convicted, they will lose their seats and be banned from re-running for 5 years.

The LKP said the prosecution rate of 24-5 (24 LKP MPs - 5 Democratic MPs) was "unfair". An LKP MP accused the indictment of "political retaliation" by President Moon Jae-in's administration.

The dispute came as the ruling party and its allies sought to speed up a series of reform bills, including establishing an agency to investigate high-ranking officials suspected of corruption.