South Korea Passes Bills For Special Probes Into Ex-President Yoon And His Wife

South Korea's new president greenlights special probes into ex-leader Yoon's martial law and his wife's corruption cases.

President Lee Jae-myung greets lawmakers after the legislature passes bills targeting former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Source : @GeromanAT/X

South Korea’s newly empowered liberal government wasted no time in making bold moves, as the legislature on Thursday approved a series of high-stakes bills aimed at launching independent investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The probes target Yoon’s controversial imposition of martial law last December and multiple corruption allegations involving his wife, marking a dramatic turn just one day after liberal leader Lee Jae-myung officially took office as president.

The two bills, long blocked by Yoon and the caretaker government following his impeachment in December, are now expected to be signed into law by President Lee. Lee, a Democrat who campaigned on healing political divisions, previously led efforts as opposition leader to impeach Yoon over what critics called a reckless and unlawful power grab.

Lee Jae-myung Backs Independent Probes Amid Promises of Political Unity

Despite his promises of unity and nonpartisan governance, Lee has also committed to ensuring full accountability for Yoon’s actions. This includes supporting independent investigations into both the martial law episode and the mounting criminal allegations against Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee—moves that could overshadow his early presidency and escalate political tensions.

In a dramatic moment during Thursday’s legislative session, the bills passed by an overwhelming margin of 194 to 3, with many conservative People Power Party (PPP) members abstaining. One PPP lawmaker accused the ruling Democrats of political vengeance before the vote, reflecting the deep divisions still roiling South Korean politics.

Adding to the symbolic weight of the vote, dozens of retired marines in red shirts stood and saluted from the gallery as lawmakers passed a related bill calling for a special investigation into the suspicious death of a marine—a case tied to broader criticisms of Yoon’s military decision-making.

Yoon Faces Rebellion Trial, Wife Kim Keon Hee Under Corruption Cloud

Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3, which was rescinded just hours later after lawmakers forced their way past armed soldiers to revoke the order, has become the centerpiece of the rebellion case against him. In January, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Yoon, charging him with masterminding a rebellion and attempting to seize control of government institutions through force—an offense that could carry the death penalty if convicted.

While Yoon defended the decree as a constitutional act of governance amid legislative gridlock, he also accused the Democrats of being “anti-state forces” bent on sabotaging his administration.

The newly passed bills call for special prosecutors to take over or oversee the investigations, citing a lack of progress under existing law enforcement agencies during Yoon’s presidency. Liberals argue that prior inquiries were hindered by Yoon’s refusal to cooperate, as well as by possible interference with the police, prosecutors, and the anti-corruption agency.

In addition to the rebellion case, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, is under scrutiny for allegedly receiving luxury gifts from a Unification Church figure in exchange for business favors, participating in a stock manipulation scheme, and meddling in the PPP’s candidate selection process ahead of last year’s legislative elections.

While in office, Yoon repeatedly brushed off demands for an inquiry into his wife’s conduct, dismissing them as politically motivated smear campaigns. Now, with the balance of power having shifted, the new administration appears determined to pursue answers—and justice.

(With Agency Inputs).