Gwacheon, Feb 25 (NationPress) A newly formed special counsel team was officially inaugurated on Wednesday to delve into persistent doubts surrounding former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, his unsuccessful martial law attempt, and associated claims regarding his wife.

Special Counsel Kwon Chang-young has been assigned to reignite investigations into insurrection allegations linked to Yoon's failed martial law endeavor, alongside corruption claims involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the recent death of a Marine.

Last month, the National Assembly enacted a new special counsel legislation following three prior investigations that left 17 significant allegations unresolved, including suspected planning prior to Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, 2024.

“Although the three special counsels yielded numerous results since their inception, the establishment of the second special counsel reflects public sentiment regarding existing shortcomings,” Kwon stated during a briefing.

The new team is anticipated to probe alleged efforts under Yoon's administration to provoke North Korea by staging armed helicopter maneuvers near the inter-Korean border, as well as the former first lady's suspected interference in governmental matters.

The team has recently acquired investigative records and indictments previously filed by the three special counsel teams, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Kwon's investigation is initially set for a duration of 90 days, with the possibility of two extensions, allowing it to span up to 170 days, including a 20-day preparatory phase.

Yoon has been sentenced to life imprisonment after one of the three previous special counsels indicted him on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed martial law attempt.

On Tuesday, Yoon Suk Yeol filed an appeal against his life sentence concerning his insurrection conviction from his unsuccessful martial law attempt.

The appeal was submitted by his legal team just five days after a court sentenced Yoon to life in prison for leading an insurrection with his brief imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024.

“We believe it is our duty to clearly state the issues with this ruling for both court records and future historical reference,” the lawyers expressed in a press notice.

“We will not remain silent regarding the special counsel's overly aggressive indictment and the contradictory ruling of the initial court based on it, along with its political implications,” they added.