President Lee Names Kwon Chang‑young as Special Counsel President Lee Jae Myung appointed adjunct professor Kwon Chang‑young, a former district‑court judge and senior member of the Supreme Court’s Judicial Research and Training Institute, to head a new special‑counsel investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife on February 5, 2026 [1]. The appointment follows a recommendation from the minor Rebuilding Korea Party and fulfills a Democratic Party‑passed bill authorizing the probe. Kwon’s legal background is highlighted as essential for navigating the complex allegations.

New Counsel Consolidates Three Earlier Investigations The Kwon team will merge three prior special‑counsel inquiries: Yoon’s brief December 2024 martial‑law decree, allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, and the death of a young Marine, creating a single comprehensive investigation [1]. This consolidation aims to prevent duplication and ensure coordinated evidence gathering. Lawmakers had previously approved the merger to streamline accountability.

Mandate Expands Scope to Unexamined Allegations Kwon’s mandate explicitly includes claims omitted from earlier probes, notably alleged election‑interference and other influence‑peddling activities linked to Yoon and his spouse [1]. The broadened scope seeks to address public pressure for deeper scrutiny of potential misconduct. Investigators are authorized to subpoena documents and interview witnesses beyond the original matters.

Investigation Timeline Allows Up to 170 Days The special counsel may conduct the inquiry for a maximum of 170 days, with the possibility of two extensions if necessary, providing a structured timeframe for the extensive review [1]. Extensions require additional legislative approval. This timeline balances thoroughness with political urgency ahead of upcoming local elections.

Opposition Leader Demands Separate Probes Into Ruling Party People Power Party leader Jang Dong‑hyeok called on February 4, 2026 for three distinct special‑counsel investigations targeting alleged Unification Church ties, nomination‑related bribery, and other misconduct within the Democratic Party, arguing the combined probe could dilute accountability [2]. Jang criticized the ruling party’s plan to merge investigations, suggesting it serves political interests before June’s local elections. He emphasized that separate inquiries would ensure transparent outcomes.

Jang’s Hunger Strike Highlights Unification Church Funding Concerns Jang previously staged an eight‑day hunger strike to pressure the Democratic Party into accepting independent counsel inquiries into claims that some DP lawmakers received political funds from the Unification Church [2]. He linked the funding issue to broader economic woes, including inflation and a weak won, and sought a one‑on‑one meeting with President Lee, which the president declined. The strike underscored the opposition’s strategy of leveraging personal protest to influence legislative action.