Seoul: The opposition-controlled National Assembly has endorsed a special counsel bill aimed at probing allegations against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, focusing on an influence-peddling scandal tied to the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the allegations revolve around Myung Tae-kyun, a self-identified power broker, who purportedly received approximately 76 million won (US$54,400) from former ruling party lawmaker Rep. Kim Young-sun. This payment was allegedly in exchange for securing her nomination for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
The bill was passed during a plenary session with a 182-91 vote, and one lawmaker abstained. Despite the ruling People Power Party's decision to oppose the bill, their members participated in the voting process.
Myung is accused of facilitating Kim Young-sun's nomination by conducting favorable public opinion polls for Yoon prior to the 2022 presidential election. The special counsel is tasked with investigating whether Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee were involved in the nomination processes of the 2022 local and by-elections, as well as last year's parliamentary elections.
Opposition parties have raised concerns that the Changwon District Prosecutors Office is intentionally delaying its investigation into Myung. The special counsel will explore potential interference by authorities at the Supreme Prosecutors Office and the presidential office of the senior secretary for civil affairs.