Political row intensifies over special probe bill into Marine's death

Rep. Park Chan-dae, front, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a press conference near the presidential office in Seoul, Saturday, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to accept a special counsel probe over a Marine's death. Yonhap

The political row over a special probe bill into a Marine's death has intensified, as the opposition bloc is pressuring President Yoon Suk Yeol to accept the Assembly-approved bill. Meanwhile, the ruling side has described the attempt as being "politically motivated."

On Saturday, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and five other opposition parties — the Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), the Reform Party, the Justice Party, the Progressive Party and the Saemirae Party — held a joint press conference near the presidential office in Seoul to call on Yoon to accept a special counsel bill passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly last week.

The bill aims to launch a sweeping investigation into officials at the presidential office, the Ministry of National Defense and the Marine Corps, to look into the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died last year during a search operation after floods, amid suspicions of political interference in order to downplay the responsibilities of ranking military officials.

"Is it asking too much to ask for the truth on why a young Marine died during a search-and-rescue operation for flood victims and whether there was external pressure during the course of the investigation?" DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said. "The president using his veto power will not hide the truth."

RKP leader Cho Kuk, known for his vocal criticism of Yoon, said, "People are demanding a special counsel probe right now." According to recent public surveys, nearly 70 percent of the people support the special counsel probe.

The first-term lawmaker-elects of the DPK staged a sit-in protest against the Yoon administration.

The first-term lawmakers-elect of the Democratic Party of Korea stage a sit-in protest at the National Assembly, Friday, to pressure President Yoon Suk Yeol to accept a special counsel probe over a Marine's death. Yonhap

Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) lashed back at the opposition parties, accusing the DPK of using the Marine's death for political gain.

"No truth can be revealed through bad propaganda," PPP spokesperson Ho Jun-seok said Sunday.

"It is a mere conjuring trick to gain the upper hand and exert power through threats and offensive remarks before the 22nd National Assembly launches on May 30. The pain from the unfortunate death of a Marine cannot be used as a tool to justify political strife."

During a press conference to mark his second year in office last Thursday, Yoon expressed opposition to the separate special counsel probe bill.

"The police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials are already investigating the case, and it will be handed over to the prosecution for indictments and trials of those involved," Yoon said.

"If these processes are completed, the investigative authorities will brief the public on the results. If the public deems the investigations unacceptable, I will be the first to call for a special counsel probe."

If Yoon opposes the special counsel probe bill, it may deepen political divides. He faces a political burden as collaboration with opposition parties becomes more important than ever, given that the DPK secured a large majority in the 22nd National Assembly.