Seoul: The opposition-led National Assembly has successfully passed a significant revision to parliamentary rules, effectively excluding the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) from recommending a special prosecutor to investigate corruption involving the president or his family. The revised bill was passed with a 179-102 vote during a plenary session, marking a crucial shift in the political landscape.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the new rules stipulate that minor opposition parties, including the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Jinbo Party, will now have the authority to recommend one member each to the seven-member recommendation committee for a permanent special prosecutor. This change follows the main opposition Democratic Party’s (DP) commitment to addressing controversies involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee, especially after President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into allegations against her.
The allegations against Kim include her involvement in a stock man
ipulation scheme, illegally accepting a luxury bag, and interfering with the PPP’s candidate nominations prior to last April’s general elections. In addition to the revision regarding the special prosecutor, the DP also passed a bill mandating government measures in response to significant fluctuations in rice prices, which could involve buying surplus rice or releasing government stocks.
The PPP has criticized the DP’s actions, describing the legislative moves as an uncontrolled abuse of power. PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho announced the party’s intention to request President Yoon to exercise his right to seek parliamentary reconsideration of the bills, which effectively acts as a presidential veto. Furthermore, the PPP plans to file an authority dispute and a constitutional appeal against the amendment to the special prosecutor nomination rules.
In a related development, the Assembly ratified a new defense cost-sharing agreement between South Korea and the United States. This five-year deal, finalised la
st month, outlines South Korea’s financial contribution to maintaining the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea through the 12th Special Measures Agreement, which is set to last until 2030. South Korea’s share will rise to 1.52 trillion won (approximately US$1.19 billion) in 2026, marking an 8.3 percent increase from 2025.
The agreement was reached amid speculations that South Korea aimed to avoid challenging negotiations should former President Donald Trump return to office. Trump had previously demanded a significant increase in Seoul’s financial contribution, labeling South Korea as a free rider on U.S. military resources.