▲ Special counsel Kwon Chang-young (3rd from L) claps during a launch ceremony for his team tasked with investigating remaining allegations surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol outside his office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Yonhap)

new special counsel-launch

New special counsel launches to investigate uncovered allegations surrounding ex-President Yoon

GWACHEON, South Korea, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- A new special counsel team officially launched Wednesday to investigate remaining suspicions surrounding ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, his failed martial law bid and allegations involving his wife.

Special counsel Kwon Chang-young has been tasked with reopening investigations into insurrection charges stemming from Yoon's failed martial law bid, along with corruption allegations tied to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the 2023 death of a Marine.

Last month, the National Assembly passed a new special counsel bill after three special probes ended without fully addressing 17 major allegations, such as suspected planning made ahead of Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024.

"While the three special counsels produced many results since their launch, the second special counsel has been established reflecting the public's belief that there have been shortcomings," Kwon said in a briefing.

Specifically, the new team is expected to investigate alleged attempts under Yoon's administration to induce North Korea's provocation by staging armed helicopter flights near the inter-Korean border, as well as the former first lady's suspected meddling of state affairs.

The team recently received investigation records and indictments filed by the three special counsel teams.

Kwon's investigation mandate, which lasts for at least 90 days, can be extended twice to run up to 170 days, including a 20-day preparatory period.

Yoon has been sentenced to life imprisonment after one of the three previous special counsels indicted him on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed martial law bid.

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