SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - The Democratic Party (DP) is contemplating the introduction of special counsel probes to scrutinize ongoing investigations involving key opposition figures, according to statements by the party's floor leader on Tuesday. During a written interview with Yonhap News Agency, Rep. Park Chan-dae discussed potential prosecutorial misconduct in cases against former Gyeonggi Province Vice Gov. Lee Hwa-young and the daughter of the former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
According to Yonhap News Agency, there are serious concerns about illegal actions and procedural violations in the prosecutors' handling of these cases, which include allegations of bribery and unauthorized financial transactions by Lee, and charges of document forgery and obstruction against Cho's daughter. Park emphasized the National Assembly's duty to intervene and ensure fairness. He also highlighted the need for an independent counsel to investigate accusations of stock price manipulation linked to the first lady, Kim Keon Hee. Park warned of significant public backlash if President Yoon Suk Yeol decides to veto a recently passed bill mandating a special investigation into a Marine's death last year.