South Korea: Parliamentary Subcommittee Approves Bill for Investigation into Yoon's Alleged Election Interference
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Synopsis
A South Korean parliamentary subcommittee has approved a bill for a special counsel investigation into alleged election interference by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The scandal involves accusations of influence-peddling during the 2022 by-elections, leading to protests and a significant trial pending.
Key Takeaways
- Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill for investigation.
- Allegations involve Yoon Suk Yeol and influence-peddling.
- Myung Tae-kyun accused of receiving funds for nominations.
- Opposition parties claim investigations are being delayed.
- Final hearing for Yoon's impeachment trial is imminent.
Seoul, Feb 24 (NationPress) A judiciary subcommittee in South Korea's parliament has passed a bill led by the opposition, which calls for a special counsel investigation into allegations surrounding impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's involvement in an influence-peddling scandal linked to the 2022 by-elections.
The controversy centers around claims that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-identified power broker, received around 76 million won (approximately US$53,280) from former ruling party legislator Kim Young-sun in return for his assistance in securing her nomination for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
Myung purportedly secured Kim Young-sun's nomination by conducting public opinion polls that favored Yoon in the lead-up to the 2022 presidential election.
Should this new bill advance during the plenary session on Thursday, the special counsel will investigate claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee played a role in the nomination processes for the 2022 local elections, by-elections, and parliamentary elections of the previous year.
On February 11, six opposition parties put forth this bill. These parties argue that the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, which is currently probing Myung, is intentionally stalling its investigation into Yoon, and they intend to 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.
Representatives from the ruling People Power Party abstained from voting during the subcommittee meeting held on Monday.
Protests occurred across South Korea on February 23, rallying for or against President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment as the final Constitutional Court hearing of his trial approaches.
The concluding hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial is set for Tuesday, after which the Constitutional Court will determine whether to dismiss him from office or restore him.
Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly due to his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. He is also accused of deploying military forces to the National Assembly to obstruct lawmakers from voting against the martial law declaration and of plotting to detain key political figures.
