South Korea: Cabinet Meeting Unlikely to Address Special Counsel Bills
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Seoul, Dec 23 (NationPress) The special counsel bills directed at South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt at martial law and allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee are not anticipated to be discussed during this week's Cabinet meeting, despite the pressure for rapid implementation, a government official stated on Monday.
On Sunday, the primary opposition party, the Democratic Party, urged acting President Han Duck-soo to enact the bills that call for special investigations into Yoon's failed martial law declaration on December 3, as well as the allegations against First Lady Kim Keon Hee, during a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday. They pledged to hold him accountable if he neglects this responsibility.
"This matter should be resolved by considering various viewpoints in accordance with the Constitution, legal frameworks, and the future of the nation within the stipulated timeframe," a senior official from Han's office informed Yonhap News Agency via telephone.
Han has a deadline until January 1 to either enact the bills or request a parliamentary review of them.
"Realistically, it is unlikely that these will be added to the agenda for the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday," the official remarked.
The National Assembly approved the two bills led by the opposition on December 12, following Yoon's brief enforcement of martial law.
Han has until January 1 to either approve or reject these bills, which are now expected to be part of the agenda for a regular Cabinet meeting on December 31.
The special counsel bill targeting Yoon aims to investigate charges of insurrection linked to his martial law declaration.
The bill concerning the First Lady seeks to probe into a variety of allegations, including her purported role in a stock manipulation scheme and her interference in election nominations through a power broker.
This represents the fourth iteration of the bill aimed at the First Lady, following a similar proposal that Yoon vetoed last month. The government has criticized the bills against her, arguing that they contain elements deemed "unconstitutional."
Concerning the special counsel bill regarding Yoon, the ruling People Power Party has urged Han to veto it, labeling it as "clearly unconstitutional."
A senior official from the Prime Minister's Office indicated that the fate of these two bills will likely hinge on whether the ruling and opposition parties can negotiate changes to eliminate the "unconstitutional" aspects.
Han is scheduled to meet with the leaders of the opposing parties on Thursday for the inaugural session of a consultative body involving both parties and the government.
