South Korea's Opposition Parties Introduce Special Counsel Bill to Investigate Yoon's Alleged Election Interference
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Synopsis
On February 11, six opposition parties in South Korea proposed a special counsel bill to probe allegations against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol regarding an influence-peddling scandal linked to the 2022 parliamentary by-elections. The investigation will focus on Yoon's alleged involvement in the nomination process and public opinion manipulation.
Key Takeaways
- Six opposition parties propose a special counsel bill.
- The bill aims to investigate Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged election interference.
- Controversy involves Myung Tae-kyun and Rep. Kim Young-sun.
- Allegations include influence on public opinion polls.
- Court hearing for Yoon's detention set for February 20.
Seoul, Feb 11 (NationPress) Six opposition parties have put forward a special counsel proposal on Tuesday to investigate claims surrounding impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged influence-peddling scandal tied to the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
The controversy involves allegations that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, received approximately 76 million won ($54,400) from former ruling party lawmaker Rep. Kim Young-sun in return for assisting her nomination for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
Myung is also accused of securing Kim Young-sun's nomination by conducting public opinion polls that were favorable to Yoon ahead of the 2022 presidential election.
Should the special counsel be approved, it will delve into accusations of involvement by Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee in the nomination processes of the 2022 local elections and by-elections, as well as last year's parliamentary elections.
Opposition groups suspect that the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, which is currently looking into Myung, is intentionally stalling its investigation into Yoon and will examine potential interference from authorities at the Supreme Prosecutors Office and the presidential office of the senior secretary for civil affairs, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
In parallel, a South Korean court session is set to determine whether to revoke the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, with sources indicating it will occur next week.
The Seoul Central District Court has arranged the hearing for February 20 to evaluate a request by Yoon to annul his detention and secure his release.
This hearing coincides with the first preparatory session for his criminal trial related to his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law. It remains uncertain if Yoon will be present in person.
Yoon was indicted on January 26 for allegedly inciting an insurrection through his fleeting imposition of martial law on December 3. He has been held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, south of the capital, since investigators apprehended him at his official residence on January 15.
