Seoul: The Cabinet on Tuesday approved bills to appoint special counsels to investigate a failed martial law attempt by former President Yoon Suk Yeol and corruption allegations against his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The decision marks a significant step towards addressing serious allegations involving the former presidential couple.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the Cabinet meeting that also approved a special counsel probe into the drowning death of a Marine during a rescue operation for flood victims in 2023. Lee is expected to endorse the three bills and promulgate them, with recommendations and appointments of special prosecutors anticipated to follow.
Lee expressed hope that the special counsel investigations will transparently uncover the truths behind the related allegations, as stated by the presidential office. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung noted that "Lee's enactment of the three special counsel bills, the first since taking office, was intended to meet the public's expectations for addressing insurrection charges and restoring constitutional order, as reflected in the presidential election."
The investigations would add legal pressure on Yoon, who was removed from office in April and is currently on trial for charges of leading insurrection and abuse of power related to martial law. One of the bills targeting Yoon mandates a permanent special counsel to investigate 11 charges, including insurrection and military mutiny, over his failed martial law bid in December. This bill, previously vetoed and discarded twice, has been reintroduced with an expanded scope, increasing the number of charges from six to 11.
Another bill against the former first lady aims to launch a special probe into allegations of stock price manipulation, her acceptance of a luxury bag, and interference with the election nomination process. The third bill proposes a special counsel probe into alleged interference by the presidential office and the Ministry of National Defense in the military's investigation into the death of a Marine during a search-and-rescue operation in July 2023.
The number of prosecutors to be dispatched could reach up to 120, making it the largest team ever, and the investigations could extend over a period of 170 days.