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South Korean independent counsel reviews extending probe into presidential scandal

Xinhua, February 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

South Korean prosecutors independently investigating the scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye said Monday the team is reviewing whether to extend the probe into the corruption scandal.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman of the special prosecutors, told a press briefing that the team is positively considering a request to extend its probe into the scandal because there is still shortage in the investigation.

The team of prosecutors, set up on Dec. 21, is scheduled to terminate its probe by the end of this month.

It can extend the probe by up to 30 days if Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is serving as a caretaker president following the impeachment of President Park, approves it.

Prime Minister Hwang, one of the closest aides to President Park, reportedly said he will review when the request is made by the independent counsel team.

Local media speculates that the prime minister is unlikely to allow the extended investigation as he emerged as a powerful presidential hopeful in the conservative camp following the withdrawal of former UN chief Ban Ki-moon from the presidential bid.

Hwang's approval scores recently topped 10 percent, reflecting support among elderly conservative voters for the ruling Saenuri Party. The elderly supporters have demanded the rejection of the impeachment motion.

The constitutional court is widely forecast to decide whether to end Park's presidency or reinstate her before the middle of March.

If the court upholds the impeachment bill, Park could be subject to detention and execution by prosecutors. By law, a sitting president is exempt from being executed by prosecutors.

The main opposition Minjoo Party allegedly plans to push for the revision of the law to allow special prosecutors to investigate the presidential scandal for up to 120 more days without the approval from the acting president.

A group of special prosecutors and investigators on Friday tried to raid the presidential compound to find evidence, but they were stopped by security guards for reasons of possible leakage of military and official secrets.

State prosecutors had sought in vain to storm the presidential Blue House before the independent counsel team took over the investigation in mid-December. Endit