Tensions between the rival political parties are expected to escalate in the following days, with the main opposition seeking to put a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee up for a revote on Nov. 28. On Nov.
14, the opposition-led Assembly passed the revised special counsel probe bill in a 191-0 vote, as the ruling People Power Party lawmakers boycotted the vote. The Assembly has previously passed two similar bills, in December 2023 and September, respectively, but both were vetoed by Yoon, only to be scrapped in separate revotes. Yoon is legally obligated to either sign or veto the legislation by Nov.
29, which falls within 15 days of the passage of the bill. The latest version of the bill expands the scope of the proposed special counsel investigation to include accusations that the first lady requested Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed political broker, to conduct public opinion surveys that would favor her husband ahead of the 2022 presidential election. The first lady's alleged interference in the ruling party's candidate nomination process for this year's April 10 general election, and accusations that she inappropriately meddled in state affairs through her aides in the presidential office have been added to the list of allegations.
Allegations that have remained on the list since the first version of the bill are: her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and alleged acceptance of a luxury bag.