South Korean legislature passes motion to appoint special counsel for Yoon

Prosecutors, police and corruption office compete to probe embattled president

20241210 SK protesters 2

Protesters tear a banner representing the flag of the ruling People Power Party as they attend a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of PPP headquarters in Seoul on Dec. 9.  © Reuters

KIM JAEWON, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday passed a motion for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol, adding to pressure on the disgraced leader who is facing potential insurrection charges after declaring and then withdrawing martial law a week ago.

A total of 210 lawmakers in the 300-member National Assembly voted in favor at an afternoon plenary session. The total indicates that 18 votes came from Yoon's ruling People Power Party, assuming all 192 opposition party and independent lawmakers voted for it. 

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