A special counsel team has been formed to investigate suspicions surrounding former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, his failed martial law attempt, and allegations involving his wife. Special counsel Kwon Chang-young will reopen investigations into insurrection charges related to Yoon’s failed martial law bid and corruption allegations linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the 2023 death of a Marine. The National Assembly passed a bill for this new special counsel after previous probes did not fully address 17 major allegations.
The new team, led by Kwon, aims to look into alleged provocations under Yoon’s administration, including attempts to induce North Korea’s response by staging armed helicopter flights near the inter-Korean border. They will also investigate the former first lady’s suspected interference in state affairs. The team has received investigation records and indictments from the previous special counsel teams.
Kwon’s investigation mandate will last at least 90 days, extendable twice up to 170 days, including a 20-day preparatory period. Yoon has been sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection through his failed martial law bid. Recently, Yoon appealed his life sentence over the insurrection conviction, stating a responsibility to highlight issues with the decision for historical records.
