South Korea's opposition pushes for probes into Yoon

SEOUL — The floor leader of South Korea's main opposition party, Park Chan-dae, on Sunday urged acting President Han Duck-soo to promulgate special counsel bills targeting impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee by Tuesday.

Park warned of holding Han accountable if he fails to act, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier this month, South Korea's National Assembly passed a special counsel bill to investigate allegations against Yoon, including insurrection and other violations related to his short-lived martial law decree on Dec 3.

Another bill approved by parliament mandates a special counsel probe into two key allegations involving Kim — her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker.

Yoon's presidential powers are suspended but he remains in office. He has not complied with various summonses by authorities investigating whether the martial law constituted insurrection.

He has also not responded to attempts to contact him by the Constitutional Court, which decides whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential powers. The court plans to hold its first preparatory hearing on Friday.

Meanwhile, demonstrators supporting and opposing Yoon held rival protests several hundred meters apart in Gwanghwamun in the heart of Seoul on Saturday. There were no clashes as of 4 pm.

Tens of thousands of anti-Yoon protesters, dominated by people in their 20s and 30s, gathered around 3 pm, waving K-pop light sticks and signs with sayings such as "Arrest! Imprison! Insurrection chief Yoon Suk-yeol" to catchy K-pop tunes.

"I think if (Yoon) really has a conscience, he should step down," said 27-year-old Cho Sung-hyo.

Several thousand pro-Yoon protesters, chiefly older and more conservative people opposing Yoon's removal and supporting the restoration of his powers, had gathered since around midday.

Agencies - Xinhua