South Korea's National Assembly Enacts Special Counsel Bill to Investigate Yoon's Alleged Election Interference

Synopsis

The opposition-led National Assembly in South Korea has approved a special counsel bill to investigate allegations against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol related to influence peddling in the 2022 parliamentary by-elections, focusing on a power broker's alleged actions.

Key Takeaways

National Assembly passed special counsel bill.
Investigation focuses on Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged influence.
Myung Tae-kyun accused of receiving funds for nominations.
Concerns over delays in the investigation by prosecutors.
Constitutional Court to decide on Yoon's impeachment soon.

Seoul, Feb 27 (NationPress) The National Assembly of South Korea, controlled by the opposition, approved a bill for a special counsel on Thursday to investigate claims regarding impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged involvement in a scandal related to influence peddling during the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.

The allegations focus on Myung Tae-kyun, who claims to be a power broker, and is accused of receiving around 76 million won (approximately US$54,400) from former ruling party member Rep. Kim Young-sun in return for facilitating her nomination for the by-elections.

This bill was passed in a plenary session with a vote tally of 182-91 and one abstention.

Prior to the vote, members of the ruling People Power Party had resolved to oppose the bill, adhering to their party position.

It is alleged that Myung secured Kim Young-sun's nomination by conducting public opinion polls that favored Yoon leading up to the 2022 presidential election.

The special counsel is set to delve into claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee were implicated in the nomination activities for both the 2022 local elections and the by-elections, alongside the parliamentary elections from the previous year, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Opposition parties suspect that the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, which is currently investigating Myung, is intentionally stalling its inquiry into Yoon. The council will examine potential interference from authorities at the Supreme Prosecutors Office and the presidential office's senior secretary for civil affairs.

The South Korean Constitutional Court is anticipated to make a decision in mid-March regarding whether to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office or reinstate him, having concluded hearings on his impeachment trial on Tuesday concerning his unsuccessful bid for martial law.

The trial was concluded after 11 rounds and 73 days following the National Assembly's impeachment vote against Yoon for his brief attempt to impose martial law on December 3.

If Yoon, who won election in May 2022 for a single five-year term, is officially removed, a snap election will be conducted within 60 days. Conversely, if the impeachment is rejected, Yoon will instantly return to his official duties.