President Park endorses opposition request for special counsel probe

By Park Sae-jin Posted : November 24, 2016, 13:18 Updated : November 24, 2016, 13:18

[Aju News DB]


South Korean President Park Geun-hye endorsed an opposition request Thursday for a special counsel probe into her role in a corruption scandal as opposition parties accelerated preparations for her impeachment.

The presidential office said Park's approval would be sent back soon to the National Assembly. Park should nominate one of two candidates recommended by opposition parties to lead a special probe into a scandal involving Park herself and presidential aides.

In a related move, the main opposition Democratic Party said it would
seek a parliamentary vote on Park's impeachment by December 9, after dozens of ruling party legislators promised to support opposition groups.

On Wednesday, Kim Moo-sung, a former Saenuri Party leader, blasted Park for playing a role in the scandal involving her longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil. He heads a faction of outspoken Saenuri lawmakers who have urged Park to drop her party membership for abusing her power.

Park's impeachment requires approval from more than 200 lawmakers in the 300-member National Assembly. There are 171 opposition and independent lawmakers while Saenuri has 128 seats.

After parliamentary approval, the impeachment motion will be sent to the Constitutional Court for up six months of deliberation. During the period, the president will be suspended.

Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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