South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party said on Monday it and other parties would seek the impeachment of the prime minister, Yonhap News Agency rep
SEOUL – South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party said on Monday it and other parties would seek the impeachment of the prime minister, Yonhap News Agency reported after the premier said an investigation into a corruption scandal would not be extended.
The move to seek the impeachment of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was an apparent protest against his decision not to extend a special investigator’s investigation into an influence-peddling scandal that has engulfed President Park Gyuen-hye.
The floor leaders of opposition parties are meeting to discuss their plans, with the minor People’s Party also seeking cooperation from other parties to impeach Hwang, who has been acting president since Park was impeached by parliament in December over allegations she colluded with her longtime confidante to extort money from companies.
Faced with massive street protests, Park was forced to approve the launch of the investigation team led by independent counsel Park Young-soo before she was impeached.
The team has since arrested a slew of high-profile figures, including former Park administration officials and Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong, in connection with the scandal. Park, who denies the allegations, has avoided a direct investigation because of a law that gives a sitting leader immunity from prosecution.
