South Korea passes probe bill on Yoon case

Seoul

South Korea’s opposition-led National Assembly on Thursday passed a special counsel bill to investigate allegations of election interference involving impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The bill, which passed 182-91 with one abstention, focuses on claims that Yoon influenced parliamentary by-elections in 2022.

The controversy centers on Myung Tae-kyun, a political broker accused of taking 76 million won ($54,400) from former ruling party lawmaker Kim Young-sun to secure her nomination. Myung allegedly conducted public opinion polls favoring Yoon before the 2022 presidential election in exchange for her candidacy.

The investigation will examine whether Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee were involved in election nominations for the 2022 local and by-elections, as well as last year’s parliamentary elections. Opposition parties also accuse prosecutors of stalling the probe into Myung, prompting the special counsel to examine potential interference from top legal and presidential officials.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is set to rule by mid-March on Yoon’s impeachment, which was triggered by his failed martial law declaration on December 3. After an 11-session trial spanning 73 days, the court concluded its hearings on Tuesday.

If Yoon, who began his five-year term in May 2022, is formally removed, a snap presidential election must be held within 60 days. If his impeachment is overturned, he will resume office immediately.