Opposition steps up calls for special counsel probe

Jan 07, 2026, 08:05 am

		0
Lee Hye-hoon, nominee for Minister of Economy and Finance, arrives at the office set up for her confirmation hearing at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 2. / Yonhap

With just five months to go before the June 3 local elections, South Korea’s opposition parties are intensifying their offensive against the ruling bloc, calling for special counsel investigations into a series of political scandals.

The opposition argues that allegations ranging from illicit nomination donations involving Democratic Party figures, abuse-of-power claims surrounding Lee Hye-hoon, nominee for Minister of Economy and Finance, and suspected ties between ruling camp figures and the Unification Church amount to “systemic, power-driven corruption” rather than isolated personal misconduct.

The People Power Party (PPP) is attempting to link these controversies into a single narrative, aiming to turn the tide of public opinion through a broad-based political campaign. Political observers say the escalating standoff between the ruling and opposition parties is likely to dominate the election landscape.

According to political sources on Jan. 4, the PPP has identified three main issues as the core of its offensive: alleged nomination donation scandals involving former Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-ki and Rep. Kang Sun-woo; allegations that Lee abused and verbally harassed her aides; and claims of close ties between ruling camp figures and the Unification Church. The PPP insists that all three cases require independent investigations by special prosecutors.

Alleged nomination donations labeled “vote-buying”

The PPP has framed the alleged nomination donations involving Democratic Party figures as “vote-buying,” stepping up pressure as the local elections draw nearer. The party argues that highlighting unfairness in the nomination process will weaken public trust in the Democratic Party.

Choi Bo-yoon, the PPP’s chief spokesperson, said in a statement that the scandal is increasingly revealing itself as “a massive power-type corruption involving organizational leadership, not merely individual wrongdoing.” She added that “cutting off a few scapegoats will not resolve the issue.”

Calls for Lee’s resignation over abuse allegations

The PPP has also sharpened its criticism of Lee ahead of her National Assembly confirmation hearing, despite her past affiliation with the party. The opposition has warned of rigorous scrutiny, reflecting internal discontent over her decision to accept a cabinet post under the Lee Jae-myung administration without broader consultation within the party.

Choi described recordings allegedly containing Lee’s verbal abuse as “shocking,” citing repeated shouting, humiliation, and claims of personal errands imposed on aides. “This is not an issue that can be dismissed with explanations or apologies,” she said, urging Lee to resign voluntarily before the controversy escalates further.

Unification Church probe deadlocked

The PPP is also pressing the Democratic Party to accept a special counsel bill jointly proposed with the Reform Party to investigate alleged political ties to the Unification Church. Negotiations remain stalled, as the Democratic Party insists on expanding the scope to include Shincheonji-related allegations, a move the PPP criticizes as an attempt to dilute the investigation.

PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok said, “When we called for a special counsel, they tried to water it down by dragging Shincheonji into it. If the ruling party continues this tactic, it is effectively admitting its own wrongdoing.”

As pressure mounts, the PPP is reportedly considering a joint hunger strike by party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok to push for the special counsel bill. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party maintains its plan to pass its own version of the bill at a plenary session before the end of the current extraordinary parliamentary session on Jan. 8.

#local elections #special counsel #Lee Hye-hoon #abuse of power allegations #Unification Church ties