DP pushes again for special counsel bill on first lady’s conduct

Sep 10, 2024, 10:21 am

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Source: Yonhap News

AsiaToday reporters Kim Im-soo & Park Sae-young

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) unilaterally approved on Monday two special counsel bills concerning allegations against first lady Kim Keon-hee and a military report on the 2023 death of Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun, at the first subcommittee under the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The move was taken immediately after Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok announced that he would handle the first lady case in respect of the prosecution panel’s recommendation not to indict Kim on her alleged acceptance of a luxury handbag from a Korean American pastor. The presidential office made it clear that it will exercise its right to demand a reconsideration, saying the public would be “tired” of the DP’s continuous push to pass bills that have been previously scrapped.

According to the National Assembly and the legal circle, the bill dealing with the first lady’s case covers eight allegations, including stock manipulation, the acceptance of a luxury bag and interference in personnel affairs. In response, the ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote, calling it a political maneuver ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

Regarding allegations that Kim illegally received a luxury bag, the prosecution’s investigation review committee, comprising 15 outside experts, reached the conclusion last week not to indict Kim. Prosecutor General Lee said that he respects the prosecution panel’s decision advising against indicting first lady Kim Keon-hee.

Lee referred to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s comment calling the acceptance of the luxury bag an “unwise act,” stating that the prosecution service thoroughly examined the fact that unwise acts do not automatically subject individuals to criminal punishment or recognition of criminal charges. “Personally I believe that, on this opportunity, the relevant law needs to be correctly upgraded regarding the spouses of public officials so that no further social controversy would be created,” Lee said.

Legal experts say Lee’s remarks are an expression of discontent with the National Assembly’s refusal to trust the prosecution that investigated into the first lady’s case in accordance with the law while making a law that cannot punish her under the anti-graft law.

The presidential office plans to exercise the right to demand a reconsideration of the independent counsel bill that the DP pushed unilaterally. An official at the presidential office said Yoon vetoed a similar bill as the stock manipulation case had already been investigated under the previous Moon Jae-in administration and expressed concerns that an investigation by a special prosecutor appointed by the opposition could be biased.

#DP #first lady #Kim Keon-hee #prosecution