'Permanent Special Investigation on Martial Law Incident' Passed by National Assembly... Presidential Office Atmosphere 'Suddenly Changes'

Pro-Democratic Party Close Faction Lawmaker Supports Permanent Special Prosecutor Bill
Interpreted as a Prelude to the Impeachment Re-vote on the 14th

The atmosphere at the Presidential Office is rapidly changing as the permanent special prosecutor bill to investigate President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law as treason passed the National Assembly on the 10th. The ruling People Power Party reflected the changed mood by deciding on a free vote at an emergency party meeting that day, with 23 members voting in favor of the permanent special prosecutor bill.

Named the "Special Prosecutor's Investigation Request Bill for the Truth-Finding of Treasonous Acts through the Unconstitutional Declaration of Martial Law," the bill was approved in the plenary session of the National Assembly with 210 votes in favor, 63 against, and 14 abstentions out of 287 members present.

In this vote, a total of 23 members, including Kwak Gyu-taek, Kim Geon, Kim Do-eup, Kim Sang-wook, Kim So-hee, Kim Ye-ji, Kim Yong-tae, Kim Wi-sang, Kim Jae-seop, Kim Tae-ho, Kim Hyeong-dong, Park Soo-min, Park Jeong-ha, Bae Jun-young, Bae Hyun-jin, Seo Beom-su, Ahn Sang-hoon, Ahn Cheol-soo, Woo Jae-jun, Cho Kyung-tae, Jin Jong-oh, Choi Su-jin, and Han Ji-a, voted in favor. Most of them were members from the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction or neutral members.

Inside and outside the Presidential Office, there is a sense of bewilderment as more ruling party members than expected voted in favor. While closely monitoring the National Assembly situation, no official stance has yet been expressed. A Presidential Office official said regarding the passage of the permanent special prosecutor investigation request bill in the plenary session, "Nothing has been officially communicated yet," and added, "There are no special schedules planned for today."

The permanent special prosecutor bill targets President Yoon Suk-yeol for investigation on charges of commanding treason, including the unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law. Those under investigation also include former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who recommended the declaration of martial law to President Yoon, former Martial Law Commander Park An-su, cabinet members who attended the State Council meeting before the declaration of martial law, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former floor leader of the People Power Party Choo Kyung-ho, and General Yeo In-hyung, commander of the Defense Security Command.

Since the permanent special prosecutor does not require a separate special prosecutor law, it is not subject to the president's right to request reconsideration (veto). Therefore, it can be implemented immediately upon the plenary session's resolution, but if President Yoon does not appoint the special prosecutor, the launch of the special prosecutor may be delayed.

Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said, "Most of the members who voted in favor of the permanent special prosecutor bill today are from the pro-Han faction and neutral members," adding, "It can be interpreted as a preliminary battle ahead of the second vote on President Yoon's impeachment motion scheduled for the 14th."

The People Power Party decided not to set a separate party stance for or against the permanent special prosecutor bill at the party meeting held before the plenary session that day. Some analysts interpret this as reflecting the changed mood of the ruling party regarding the re-vote on the impeachment motion scheduled for the 14th, as it was reported that earlier, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, had expressed at the party meeting that members should vote in favor of the permanent special prosecutor bill.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a national address at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.