POLL Public seeks justice in inquiries into ex-president, former first lady

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee leave a polling station in Seocho District, Seoul, after casting their ballots in the presidential election, Tuesday. Yonhap

A substantial majority of Koreans, nearly 70 percent, are calling for a comprehensive investigation into allegations concerning former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, signaling a strong public desire for accountability and clear governance in the wake of a turbulent political transition.

The widespread sentiment for justice is evident as President Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) assumes office. His inauguration followed the impeachment of Yoon last year, an unprecedented event precipitated by his controversial martial law declaration. Now, the focus is intensifying on how the new administration intends to navigate the persistent accusations against the former president and his spouse.

According to a poll conducted by Hankook Research at the request of The Korea Times, 69 percent of respondents said the new administration should carry out a thorough investigation while simultaneously upholding prosecutorial independence.

Meanwhile, 17 percent supported a more cautious or delayed investigation to avoid perceptions of political retribution, while 13 percent said the inquiry should be abandoned entirely to preserve national unity.

Graphic by Cho Sang-won

The poll results revealed that a clear majority of the public, across all age groups and genders, believes Yoon and Kim should be held accountable through a full investigation into the allegations against them.

Notably, even among respondents aged 70 and older — a demographic traditionally viewed as conservative and largely supportive of People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo in the presidential election — 52 percent expressed support for a comprehensive probe.

The poll also highlighted stark ideological divisions. Among self-identified liberals, 84 percent favored a full-scale investigation into the allegations.

In contrast, only 46 percent of conservatives supported such an inquiry. Meanwhile, 27 percent of conservatives preferred a cautious or delayed approach to avoid accusations of political retaliation and 26 percent called for the investigation to be halted in the name of national unity.

Even within the conservative bloc, opinions varied depending on party affiliation. Among supporters of the PPP, the former ruling party under Yoon's presidency, only 30 percent backed a judicial inquiry that ensures prosecutorial independence. Meanwhile, 37 percent favored a more cautious approach and 32 percent said the investigation should be halted altogether.

In contrast, 57 percent of Reform Party supporters expressed backing for a thorough investigation into the allegations.

A special investigation into Yoon and his wife advanced on Thursday as the National Assembly approved a package of special counsel bills, clearing the path for independent probes into a series of high-profile allegations.

One of the bills requires the appointment of a permanent special counsel to investigate 11 charges against Yoon, including insurrection and military rebellion, related to his martial law declaration last December. Previously vetoed and twice discarded, the bill has now been reintroduced with its scope expanded from six to 11 charges.

Another bill authorizes a special investigation into Kim over allegations of stock price manipulation and her acceptance of a luxury handbag.

The Korea Times commissioned the survey to gauge public sentiment. Hankook Research surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide in phone interviews on Wednesday and Thursday. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, with a credibility rate of 95 percent. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission’s website.