First lady Kim Keon-hee boards the presidential jet on June 15, 2024, before accompanying President Yoon Suk-yeol on a state visit to three countries in the Middle East. (pool photo)
The opposition-led National Assembly passed a bill mandating a permanent special probe into allegations surrounding first lady Kim Keon-hee, including those related to the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case. The ruling People Power Party was united in opposition to the bill, claiming that it included toxic clauses that were unconstitutional.
As 265 lawmakers were present for the National Assembly’s plenary session on Thursday, the special counsel bill for Kim passed with 179 lawmakers voting for, 85 voting against, and one abstention.
The bill names 11 allegations against Kim to be investigated: her involvement in the Deutsch Motors, Sambu Construction, and Woori Technology stock manipulation cases; acceptance of bribes under the name of sponsorship for Covana Contents exhibitions; the receipt of a luxury handbag; her involvement in the relocation of the presidential office and residence.
Another bill mandating a permanent special prosecutor probe into investigating outside influence in a drug-smuggling scheme via Incheon International Airport also passed in a 175-76 vote with four abstentions.
People Power Party lawmakers adhered to party policy by opposing both of the bills in question. According to their rationale, not only are the probes exceedingly broad, but the ruling party was also excluded from recommending nominees to fill the roles of special prosecutor. Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the ruling party, slammed the bills for “resorting to cunning wordplay while maintaining toxic clauses.”
Permanent special probes, according to the law enacted in 2014, cannot be vetoed by the president. However, the probes cannot be launched before the president initiates the recommendation process for appointing the special prosecutor. The permanent special probe on the insurrection, which passed the parliament in December, has been on hold as acting President Choi Sang-mok has been delaying the referral to the recommendation committee for three months.
By Goh Gyoung-ju, staff reporter; Jeon Gwang-joon, staff reporter
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