Overview
- After the People Power Party and Reform Party set terms for a special probe, the Democratic Party reversed course and accepted a Unification Church investigation covering politicians across both camps.
- The agreed framework centers on a third‑party nomination system in which judicial bodies recommend candidates for special prosecutor, with the president to appoint one.
- The inquiry is expected to focus on alleged illegal contributions and luxury gifts from 2018 to 2022, as police continue probes into figures including former minister Chun Jae-soo and former lawmakers Lim Jong-seong and Kim Gyu-hwan.
- Separate cases remain active, including the September arrest of PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong over 100 million won in alleged illegal funds and a recent bid by special prosecutors to seek a four‑year prison term.
- Public backing for a special counsel is strong at about 62 percent in Gallup Korea polling, while concerns persist over political maneuvering as the DP also advances a broader second round of special counsel legislation.