The Democratic Party’s Strategy and the Ongoing Political Tensions
The Democratic Party of Korea is intensifying its efforts to extend the so-called “3 special counsel political situation” until the end of this year. This initiative involves three key special counsels: the insurrection special counsel, the Kim Keon-hee special counsel, and the Marine Corps member special counsel. These investigations are being framed as a critical component in shaping the narrative around the upcoming June 3 local elections next year, which are seen as an “insurrection judgment.”
Political analysts suggest that the ruling party’s ultimate goal is to either push the People Power Party toward a “constitutional dissolution trial” or attempt to do so. The current focus of the insurrection special counsel’s investigation is clearly directed at the People Power Party, with the intention of uncovering potential legal issues that could impact the party’s standing.
Extension of Investigations and Strategic Implications
On the 7th, the insurrection special counsel secured President Lee Jae-myung’s approval for a 30-day extension of the investigation period, allowing the probe to continue until the 14th of next month. Similarly, the Marine Corps member special counsel and the team investigating former first lady Kim Keon-hee are also expected to extend their investigation periods, with the latter proceeding until the end of this month or late next month, respectively.
This strategic move by the Democratic Party is reportedly aimed at generating unfavorable developments for the People Power Party. A source from the ruling party stated, “The stronger the ‘insurrection judgment’ frame becomes, the more Democratic Party supporters will rally, and it will prevent centrists or undecided voters from shifting toward the People Power Party.” The local election strategy of the Democratic Party leadership is fundamentally based on this judgment.
The People Power Party’s Response and Concerns
The People Power Party is aware of the unfolding situation. A party official remarked, “The worst-case scenario—where the Lee Jae-myung administration raises the issue of a ‘constitutional dissolution trial’ right before next year’s local elections—cannot be ruled out.” Political circles are closely watching whether a bench warrant requested by the insurrection special counsel for People Power Party Representative Choo Kyung-ho will be issued, as this could serve as a turning point in the “3 special counsel political situation.”
The insurrection special counsel has charged Representative Choo with obstructing a vote to lift martial law by fellow party members during the December 3 emergency martial law incident, when he served as the party’s floor leader. Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae emphasized on the 5th, “If Representative Choo’s charges are confirmed guilty, the People Power Party, which directly participated in the insurrection, deserves to be dissolved as a political party ten or a hundred times over.”
Legal Proceedings and Their Impact
The arrest motion for Representative Choo is expected to be reported to the National Assembly plenary session on the 13th and put to a vote on the 27th. The motion must be voted on within 72 hours after the report, but if the deadline passes, it can be voted on at the first subsequent plenary session. Depending on the court’s decision during the subsequent warrant review, the political situation is expected to fluctuate.
Other judicial risks await the People Power Party. The first trial for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, indicted by the insurrection special counsel, is scheduled to conclude arguments in mid-November, while former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s first trial is set to wrap up arguments in mid-December. Both are expected to receive their first-instance verdicts before the court personnel reshuffle in February next year.
Additionally, the first-instance verdicts for People Power Party Representative Na Kyung-won and former Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, related to the 2019 “fast-track clash” incident between ruling and opposition parties, are also scheduled for the 20th. A source from the opposition noted, “A full-scale offensive by the Democratic Party, based on special counsel investigations and trials, is expected from late this year to early next year.”