South Korea’s president appoints assistant special counsels for new probe into Yoon

ANKARA

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has appointed six assistant special counsels to support a new investigation into insurrection charges regarding his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt last year, local media reported Friday.

The move came after independent counsel Cho Eun-suk recommended eight assistant counsel nominees, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Last week, President Lee appointed three independent counsels to investigate Yoon over several high-profile allegations, including the failed martial law bid, corruption claims involving Yoon’s wife, and his intervention in an investigation into the death of South Korean Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun in 2023.

Lee is also expected to appoint four more assistant special counsels by Saturday to support a separate investigation into allegations of influence peddling surrounding the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Chae’s drowning death, which occurred while he was conducting a search and rescue mission during heavy rain and flooding, the agency said.

Yoon, who was removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, has denied all allegations.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid