By Kim Hyo-jin
Rival parties are likely to pass a bill that will enact an investigation by an independent counsel into the corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, today.
Rep. Woo Sang-ho, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), submitted the bill signed by 209 lawmakers, Wednesday. Lawmakers who are affiliated with Park refused to sign the bill.
It will be put up for a vote during a National Assembly plenary session today. If the bill passes, Park should appoint one of two independent counsels chosen by opposition parties at a Cabinet meeting on Nov. 22, party officials said.
It came after the ruling Saenuri Party and the two biggest opposition parties agreed Monday to appoint an independent counsel to further investigate the worst-ever political scandal in modern Korea, separately from the ongoing probe by the prosecution.
Choi had allegedly meddled in state affairs, despite having no public posting, and coerced conglomerates to donate 77.4 billion won ($66.1 million) to two non-profit foundations controlled by her.
If passed, the bill will allow the two opposition parties ― the DPK and minor opposition People's Party ― to recommend two independent counsels from whom the President will be asked to appoint one.
A team under the independent counsel will consist of four counsel aides, 20 prosecutors and 40 investigators, and will execute the probe for up to 120 days.
Lawmakers also submitted a joint motion to request a separate parliamentary probe into the scandal and formed an 18-member panel for the investigation.
The panel consists of nine ruling party lawmakers and nine opposition lawmakers. Rep. Kim Sung-tae, a Saenuri Party lawmaker who does not follow Park and is reportedly close to ex-party leader Kim Moo-sung, will head the panel.
The motion will be dealt with during today's plenary session along with the bill for an independent counsel. It will allow the special panel to probe the scandal for two months and be extended once for an additional month.