The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to significantly expand the scope and duration of the special counsel investigation targeting former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife with a 'Special Counsel Act amendment bill' during the regular session of the National Assembly. The plan is to postpone submitting it to the plenary session on the 27th and pursue it after additionally listening to public opinion and the views of the special counsel.
The Democratic Party reviewed the amendment for processing at the plenary session on the 27th, but it is interpreted that they have adjusted the pace considering the existing special counsel's investigation period is about three months away and they need to avoid criticism of 'legislative monopolization.'
On the 25th, a key ruling party figure met with reporters and said, "We will not submit it on the 27th," adding, "While we cannot specify the timing for processing it, we will do our best to submit it as soon as possible." Following this shift in strategy, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee also postponed its plan to discuss the amendment to the Kim Keon-hee special counsel law at its full committee meeting that day.
It seems that the decision for the parties to only process non-controversial bills at the plenary session on the 27th, along with the assessment within the party that there is a need to refine the bill based on the views of the special counsel, played a role.
Earlier, the Democratic Party held a general meeting after processing the amendment to Article 2 and Article 3 of the Trade Union Act (Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) on the 24th to discuss the timing for processing the 'three special counsel law amendment bills.' During this meeting, the need to expand the investigation scope regarding the case of Mr. Kim Ye-seong, who is accused of attracting investments using his connection with Kim Keon-hee, and the opinion that special counsel Chae Hae-byeong should be granted command authority over military prosecutors was also reportedly raised.
The Democratic Party plans to determine the final submission timing through formal requests from the special counsel and internal party consultations. It is expected to pursue the plan to submit all three special counsel law amendment bills simultaneously in the regular session of the National Assembly.
A key figure from the People Power Party said, "The Democratic Party will not submit it on the 27th, but it seems they are planning to process the three special counsel law amendment bills at the plenary session around September 10," and criticized, "It looks like the Democratic Party intends to revise all three special counsel laws."