Who Are the Three Special Prosecutors Recommended to Investigate Ex-President Yoon and His Wife?

Synopsis
In a significant political move, South Korea's ruling Democratic Party has nominated three special prosecutors to delve into serious allegations against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, his wife Kim Keon Hee, and a Marine's death. What implications could this investigation have for South Korea's political landscape?
Key Takeaways
- The Democratic Party has nominated three special prosecutors.
- Yoon Suk Yeol faces multiple serious allegations.
- Investigations are expected to begin soon.
- The political implications could be profound.
- Public trust may be affected depending on the outcomes.
Seoul, June 12 (NationPress) The ruling Democratic Party (DP) of South Korea has put forward three candidates for the position of special prosecutors to conduct investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law attempt, allegations of corruption involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, and the tragic death of a Marine.
This initiative follows a request from the presidential office for the DP and the minor Rebuilding Korea Party to present their nominations for these inquiries in light of the recent passage of three legislative bills.
The DP has proposed Cho Eun-suk, a former acting chief of the Board of Audit and Inspection, to investigate 11 serious allegations against Yoon, which include insurrection and military mutiny related to his failed martial law attempt in December.
Min Joong-ki, the former chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, has been selected to investigate Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, concerning stock price manipulation, her acceptance of an expensive handbag, and her involvement in the election nomination process.
Additionally, the DP has suggested Lee Yoon-jae, a professor at Myongji University, to probe into the circumstances surrounding the Marine's death in July 2023.
The Rebuilding Korea Party has also provided its list of nominees earlier on the same day.
President Lee Jae-myung must appoint the special counsels within three days of receiving these recommendations.
The appointed special counsels will have a period of up to 20 days to prepare for their investigations, with comprehensive inquiries expected to commence early next month.
On June 11, Yoon submitted a statement to the police, detailing his reasons for not attending a scheduled questioning regarding martial law-related charges later this week.
In the document from his attorney, Yun Gap-geun, the former president asserted that the summons for questioning on Thursday lacked a legal foundation as the allegations against him were not factually correct.
Yoon has been charged with instructing the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to obstruct the execution of a detention warrant against him in early January.
Furthermore, he faces allegations of directing the PSS to erase records from secure phones used by three military leaders shortly after his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
According to police, Yoon did not comply with a previous summons to appear for questioning on June 5.
On June 10, President Lee signed into law bills that mandate special counsel investigations into Yoon's unsuccessful martial law attempt and the corruption allegations involving his wife.