26 February 2017•Update: 26 February 2017
By Alex Jensen
SEOUL
South Korea's interim leader kept the country guessing Sunday over whether he would extend a probe of the scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.
Four of Seoul's five parliamentary parties asked Hwang Kyo-ahn to reveal his position by last week given that the 70-day power abuse probe still has unfinished business ahead of its expiration this Tuesday, including a plan to directly interrogate Park over wide-ranging claims such as forcing donations from Samsung and other local conglomerates.
Hwang has the authority to give an extra month to the special investigation team, but he would not be rushed when addressing opposition lawmakers at a meeting Sunday.
"I am currently looking into many aspects and then I should make my position clear on the matter," he was quoted as saying by the Yonhap News Agency.
Prime Minister Hwang took temporary charge from Park after a parliamentary vote to impeach her on Dec. 9.
He has since emerged as a potential presidential candidate for South Korea's ruling conservative party, which has been battered in popularity polls due to its political association with Park.
An election originally scheduled for December will be triggered within 60 days if Park's ousting is confirmed by the Constitutional Court, where the final hearing of her impeachment trial will take place Monday before an expected deliberation period of two weeks.
With Park's lawyers confirming that she will continue to stay away from her own trial, this week also has major significance for Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, among notable figures dragged into her scandal.
Lee was questioned by special investigators Sunday for a fifth time since his arrest on Feb. 17.
Accused of paying out tens of millions of dollars in bribes via an unofficial presidential confidante, Lee will be among more than 20 suspects indicted within days if the special probe ends Tuesday, according to Yonhap’s sources.
While Park is protected by her position for now, either an extended special probe could move to bring charges against her next month or it would be left to state prosecutors once she leaves office.
