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| ▲ Chung Jin-suk, presidential chief of staff, announces President Yoon Suk Yeol's veto of a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death during a press briefing in Seoul on May 21, 2024. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (4th from L) presides over a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Seoul on May 21, 2024. (Yonhap) |
(3rd LD) Yoon-special probe
(3rd LD) Yoon vetoes bill on special counsel probe into Marine's death
(ATTN: UPDATES with chief of staff's remarks, details in paras 4-7)
By Lee Haye-ah and Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday vetoed a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death, his office said, the 10th time he has exercised veto powers in his two years in office.
Yoon endorsed a motion demanding the National Assembly reconsider the legislation that the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) railroaded through the National Assembly on May 2, Chung Jin-suk, the presidential chief of staff, said during a press briefing
The bill calls for a special counsel to look into allegations Yoon's office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the Marine's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.
Chung said Yoon vetoed the bill as an investigation into the case has been under way by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO).
"The special prosecutor system is an exceptional measure that can only be introduced supplementarily when the investigation by law enforcement agencies is inadequate or when the fairness or objectivity of the investigation is in doubt, but investigations by police and the CIO are currently under way," Chung said.
"It also fails to ensure the fundamental purpose of the special prosecutor system, which is to guarantee fairness and neutrality in the investigation," he added.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also pointed out flaws in the bill and pledged to support investigators in uncovering the truth behind Chae's case.
"The executive branch must respect the legislative branch's legislative authority as much as possible," Han said during a Cabinet meeting before the motion was approved. "However, this special counsel bill carries many problems in terms of its content, including its deliberative process and the recommendation method for a special prosecutor."
In particular, Han said past special counsel probes have "always" been introduced by agreement between the rival parties or with the government's acceptance, but the latest bill was railroaded by the opposition party and gives the opposition the sole right to recommend candidates for the special counsel, which he said could violate the president's right to make personnel appointments and the separation of powers guaranteed by the Constitution.
"The government promises once again to do its best to determine the truth behind the case of Marine Chae and to ensure there is no carelessness in resolving the people's suspicions," he said.
The political strife over the special counsel is expected to continue as the DP said it will push for a revote of the bill during a plenary session next week in an attempt to override the presidential veto.
For a bill to pass the National Assembly in a revote, it requires a majority of the 300-member parliament to be present and two-thirds of them to cast their ballots in favor.
While the DP holds 155 seats, together with splinter parties and independent lawmakers, the number could rise to about 180.
Unless there is support from some ruling party lawmakers, the bill could be discarded during the current session of the National Assembly, whose term expires later this month.
(END)
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