SEOUL — The Democratic Party (DP), South Korea's main opposition faction, was unable to present a bill on Tuesday that would mandate a special counsel investigation into the military's handling of a Marine's death in 2023. The session was disrupted due to conflicts between lawmakers, preventing the bill's introduction.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the special probe bill aimed to investigate potential inappropriate interventions by the presidential office and the defense ministry in the Marines' inquiry into the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun, who died during a search operation for victims of severe downpours in July 2023. The DP had reintroduced the bill following its initial passage and subsequent veto by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The reintroduction coincided with the new National Assembly session that began in late May.
The proposal has faced staunch opposition from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), which had even threatened a filibuster to block the bill's passage. The interpellation session devolved into a heated exchange when DP Representative Kim Byung-joo criticized PPP lawmakers for their commentary involving the sensitive topic of a tri-nation alliance with the United States and Japan, leading to demands for an apology and the session's abrupt adjournment.
The DP plans to attempt tabling the bill again on Wednesday following another interpellation session. However, with the PPP's potential filibuster looming, further delays could impact the legislative process, including the session scheduled for Thursday.