The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said Tuesday it will propose a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military’s response to a Marine’s death after it was scrapped twice following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s veto.

The party has completed its review of the bill, to be proposed for the third time within a year, DP floor spokesperson Yoon Jong-kun told reporters at the National Assembly.

“As promised by Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), we look forward to seeing discussions in any form within the party on the special probe bill,” he said.

The opposition-led bill calls for the appointment of a special counsel to look into allegations the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the military’s investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.

A similar bill had initially passed through the previous National Assembly but was scrapped in a revote after Pres
ident Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed it.

The DP proposed another bill after the new National Assembly came into office in late May but was also discarded last month following Yoon’s veto.

The PPP has argued adamantly against the bill, citing the need to first see the results of separate investigations by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials.

Declaring his bid for the PPP chief in June, Han called for a new bill that mandates a special counsel chosen by a “third party” to investigate the case to ensure more fairness.

Source: Yonhap News Agency