A parliamentary committee on Monday passed a motion to allow special prosecutors to look into alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped project to build a retirement home for President Lee Myung-bak.
Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP)'s Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed the motion, despite opposition voiced by legislators of the ruling Saenuri Party.
Of the 16 members on the committee, eight lawmakers from the DUP approved the passage of the bill, with six from the Saenuri Party expressing opposition. Reps. Lee Ju-young and Jeong Kab-yoon of the ruling party did not vote on the bill, allowing it to be passed.
The bill, which was originally ironed out between the Saenuri and DUP floor leaders last month, will be sent to the plenary session for final approval.
Once approved, a special prosecutor recommended by the DUP will start fresh investigations into allegations raised about the violation of real estate transaction laws and irregularities in the purchase of the land located in Naegok-dong in the southern outskirts of Seoul. An earlier probe by state prosecutors did not find any irregularities, which drew flak from the opposition.
The scandal centers on Lee Si-hyung, the president's 34-year-old son, and six others who were accused of playing a role in buying land for the retirement home using about 1 billion won ($883,400) of taxpayers' money.
Special prosecutors will be allowed to conduct a probe for 30 days following a 10-day preparation period. The probe may be extended for an additional 15 days if more time is needed. (Yonhap)