Second special counsel clears committee hurdle

Lawmakers from the People Power Party, including Na Kyung-won, leave the chamber after voicing opposition to the second comprehensive special counsel bill during a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Monday. / Yonhap News

A bill to launch a second comprehensive special counsel probe, a follow-up to investigations into three major cases, cleared the National Assembly’s law committee on Monday under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, while a separate special counsel proposal targeting religious groups was put on hold.

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed the bill unilaterally after the People Power Party boycotted the vote in protest. The ruling party plans to bring the bill to a plenary session on Jan. 15.

Rep. Kim Yong-min, the Democratic Party’s floor secretary on the committee, said the second probe is intended to revisit areas left insufficiently examined during the first round of special counsel investigations into the alleged insurrection, former first lady Kim Keon-hee, and the death of a Marine.

Under the bill, the Democratic Party and the largest non-negotiating parliamentary group would each recommend one special prosecutor — a structure that would again give nomination power to the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party. Staffing would be expanded, with the number of special investigators doubled to 100 and seconded public officials increased to 130, while the number of seconded prosecutors would be reduced to 15. The maximum investigation period would total up to 170 days, including extensions.

Kim said the changes reflect public sentiment that special counsel investigations should rely less on prosecutors and more on independent investigative capacity.

Meanwhile, a separate special counsel bill targeting the Unification Church and Shincheonji Church of Jesus was deferred. Kim explained that additional talks with the opposition were needed, particularly following the recent appointment of a new opposition floor leader.

The People Power Party sharply criticized the move. Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek argued that the ruling party had significantly expanded the scope of the investigation to include matters unrelated to the original probes. “After six months of investigations by three special counsels, they are seeking another six months to push an insurrection narrative into the local elections,” he said, accusing the ruling party of political overreach.

As tensions mount, the fate of the second special counsel bill will now hinge on the upcoming floor vote.

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