Rival parties clash over DP's push for special counsel bill on prosecution's alleged fabrication

Lead

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party (DP) has proposed a special counsel bill to investigate allegations that prosecutors under the previous administration fabricated evidence to indict President Lee Jae Myung. The bill, introduced late last month, has sparked a political clash, with the opposition People Power Party (PPP) denouncing it as unconstitutional and a blatant attempt to shield the president from ongoing trials. The DP has since delayed the bill's processing until after the local elections, a move critics say raises questions about the party's motives.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Yonhap News — English provide a detailed look at the bill's provisions and the political maneuvering surrounding it. One report notes that the bill would allow a special counsel to take over 12 ongoing cases, eight of which are connected to President Lee, and decide whether to proceed with or drop them if evidence of fabrication is found. The president would appoint the special counsel from among three recommended candidates, a structure that critics argue creates a conflict of interest.

Another report highlights the DP's decision to delay the bill's processing. Han Byung-do, the DP's floor leader, said the party would decide the timing and details only after gathering public and party opinion following the local elections. The report frames this as a slowdown, noting that the party offered no clear explanation for the delay. The opposition PPP criticized the decision as "an outright deception aimed at voters."

A separate report focuses on President Lee's response. According to a presidential official, Lee stressed the need for public input and careful deliberation, while also calling the special counsel probe "a must." The official argued that a parliamentary inspection had exposed "illegal acts and unjust investigations" under the previous administration.

Key Claims

• The Democratic Party introduced a special counsel bill on April 30 that would allow a special counsel to withdraw indictments in cases involving President Lee Jae Myung.
• The bill includes 12 ongoing cases, eight of which are connected to Lee, and would grant the special counsel the authority to decide whether to proceed with them.
• The president would appoint the special counsel, who could investigate and potentially withdraw indictments against the president himself.
• Critics, including the opposition People Power Party, argue the bill undermines the principle of separation of powers and could grant the president a special privilege.
• A special parliamentary committee filed complaints against 31 individuals linked to allegations of fabricated indictments, on charges of perjury and others.
• President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need for public input and careful deliberation on the special counsel bill.

Perspectives

Democratic Party (Ruling)

The DP argues the special counsel bill is necessary to address allegations that prosecutors under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration fabricated evidence to indict President Lee. The party stresses the need for an independent probe to verify the allegations and ensure fairness, citing a parliamentary investigation that it says confirmed the fabrication. The DP has delayed the bill's processing until after the local elections, saying it wants to gather public and party opinion first.

People Power Party (Opposition)

The PPP has strongly denounced the bill as unconstitutional, warning that allowing a special counsel appointed by the president to halt trials involving the president himself could undermine the principle of separation of powers. The party has labeled the bill a blatant attempt to shield Lee from his trials, which were suspended after he took office. The PPP also criticized the DP's decision to delay the bill as "an outright deception aimed at voters."

President Lee Jae Myung

President Lee has stressed the need for public input and careful deliberation on the bill, while also expressing support for the special counsel probe. A presidential official quoted Lee as calling on the DP to decide the timing and procedures through public input and careful deliberation. The official described the probe as "a must," citing the parliamentary inspection that exposed alleged illegal acts and unjust investigations.