In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea’s opposition parties have resubmitted a bill seeking to appoint a special counsel to investigate the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection. The move on Thursday reignites political tensions in the nation as questions surrounding the president’s actions continue to unfold.
Six opposition parties, including the main liberal Democratic Party, proposed the bill to the National Assembly after the initial proposal was nullified in a revote the previous day. The revote saw the majority of the 108 ruling conservative People Power Party members voting against the bill, effectively scrapping it.
For the bill to pass in the revote, it requires the support of at least two-thirds of the 300 National Assembly lawmakers. The opposition’s renewed efforts highlight the deepening divide between the ruling and opposition parties over the handling of the president’s alleged misconduct.
The revised bill outlines that two candidates for independent counsel will be recommended by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Additionally, the number of dispatched prosecutors and investigators, as well as the investigation period, will be reduced to 155 and 150 days respectively, compared to the provisions in the first bill. These adjustments aim to address concerns over the length and scope of the investigation.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon on December 14 last year, forwarding it to the Constitutional Court for deliberation of up to 180 days. During this period, President Yoon’s powers are suspended, leaving the nation’s leadership in a state of uncertainty.
The allegations stem from an incident on the night of December 3, when President Yoon, identified by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an insurrection charge, declared martial law. The National Assembly swiftly revoked the declaration hours later, adding to the controversy surrounding his presidency.
The unfolding situation has gripped the nation, with citizens and international observers closely monitoring the developments. The outcome of the special counsel investigation could have significant implications for South Korea’s political landscape and its democratic institutions.
As the National Assembly prepares for the crucial vote, the country awaits to see how these events will shape the future of its governance and the upholding of legal and constitutional principles.
Reference(s):
Bill of special counsel investigation into Yoon Suk-yeol submitted
cgtn.com
