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SouthKoreaPolitics –  South Korea’s political divide sharpened on Wednesday as opposition leader Jang Dong-hyeok called for a series of independent special counsel investigations, arguing that unresolved allegations involving the ruling Democratic Party require separate and transparent scrutiny.

Speaking at the National Assembly, Jang, who leads the main opposition People Power Party, urged lawmakers to approve three distinct special counsel probes. He said these investigations are necessary to address claims surrounding alleged links between the Unification Church and Democratic Party lawmakers, accusations of bribery connected to party nomination processes, and a controversial prosecutorial decision tied to a high-profile land development case.

Calls for Separate Investigations Into Allegations

Jang argued that allegations involving political funding and nomination-related misconduct should not be bundled into broader inquiries. According to him, claims that certain Democratic Party lawmakers received illicit political funds from the Unification Church deserve focused and independent examination. He also reiterated concerns about alleged bribery tied to the party’s candidate selection process, saying these issues undermine public trust in electoral fairness.

In his address, Jang emphasized that the opposition is not opposed to special counsel investigations in principle. Instead, he said the concern lies in how the ruling party is seeking to structure them. He warned that merging unrelated cases risks diluting accountability and turning investigations into political tools rather than fact-finding efforts.

Criticism of Prosecutorial Decisions

The opposition leader also took aim at the prosecution’s decision last November not to file an appeal in a land development corruption case linked to President Lee Jae Myung. Jang called for an independent review of that decision, suggesting it raised serious questions about fairness and consistency in law enforcement.

He argued that the choice not to appeal has fueled public suspicion and weakened confidence in the justice system. According to Jang, an impartial special counsel probe would help clarify whether political considerations influenced prosecutorial judgment.

Tensions Over Broader Special Counsel Plans

Jang’s remarks came as the Democratic Party continues to push for a comprehensive special counsel investigation that could combine three separate cases. Those cases involve former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, allegations connected to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, and the death of a young Marine.

The opposition leader criticized this approach, saying truly necessary investigations are being overlooked while the ruling party focuses on probes that serve its political narrative. He accused the Democratic Party and the current administration of weakening democratic norms and exerting pressure on the judiciary.

Claims of Politically Motivated Probes

Jang said recent special counsel investigations targeting opposition lawmakers ended without meaningful results despite months of intensive scrutiny. He described those probes as having “fizzled out” and accused the ruling party of seeking another round of investigations primarily for political advantage ahead of the June local elections.

Last month, Jang staged an eight-day hunger strike to demand that the Democratic Party accept independent counsel investigations into the allegations involving church-linked political funds and nomination bribery. He framed the protest as a last resort to draw attention to what he described as selective accountability.

Economic Concerns and Call for Dialogue

Beyond political disputes, Jang used his speech to highlight growing economic challenges. He pointed to rising inflationary pressure, a weakening local currency, escalating housing prices in the Seoul metropolitan area, and increasing trade pressure from the United States as urgent issues facing the country.

Calling for cooperation, Jang proposed a one-on-one meeting with President Lee to discuss economic stability and the impact on everyday livelihoods. He urged leaders to set aside partisan conflict and focus on practical solutions for households and businesses.

President Lee had previously invited Jang to a broader meeting with both ruling and opposition parties last month. Jang declined that offer, maintaining that direct talks would be more effective in addressing unresolved concerns.