South Korea: main Opposition urges acting president to sign special counsel bills or face consequences

Seoul (The Uttam Hindu): South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has called on acting President Han Duck-soo to promptly sign special counsel bills that would probe President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee. The DP has warned of holding Han accountable if he fails to act emphasizing that they will push for impeachment if the bills are not promulgated by Tuesday. Rep. Park Chan-dae, the DP's floor leader, made this demand during a news conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, noting that the special counsel bills are aimed at investigating Yoon’s brief martial law declaration on December 3 and allegations against First Lady Kim regarding stock manipulation and election interference. The National Assembly had passed the bills earlier this month, following the controversy surrounding Yoon’s martial law decision.

Park argued that the investigation into Yoon's actions would be "most rational" and should proceed without delay. However, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) strongly opposed the opposition's demand, calling the bills an attempt to paralyze state affairs. PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong accused the DP of using the bills to obstruct the ruling party’s governance.In a related development, South Korean police questioned acting President Han Duck-soo over his involvement in Yoon’s unsuccessful martial law imposition. Han was one of nine individuals questioned about their participation in a Cabinet meeting shortly before the martial law announcement. Han is the first to be publicly questioned as a suspect in the ongoing investigation.Han's cooperation in the investigation was acknowledged by police, who stated that he had engaged fully and faithfully in the probe. This political drama follows the impeachment of President Yoon on December 14, adding further tension to South Korea's political landscape.