[COVER STORY] Special counsel bill deepens partisan rift over impact on Lee's suspended trials

A new special counsel bill has sparked a fierce partisan debate over its potential implications for criminal cases involving President Lee Jae Myung. The ruling coalition argues that the measure is essential to address what they claim are politically motivated indictments against Lee and other members of the liberal party, which were based on fabricated evidence and false testimonies by prosecutors during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

Conversely, opposition parties accuse President Lee of abusing his power to evade criminal charges and are pushing for his impeachment.

The tension escalated on Monday when Justice Minister nominee Lee Yong-cheol stated that he would address calls to drop charges against President Lee in a manner "in accordance with the law and principles." This position contrasts with that of his predecessor, Jung Sung-ho, who maintained that only the prosecution, not the minister, has the authority to decide whether to nullify indictments against the president.

Lee Yong-cheol, a longtime ally of President Lee, was nominated on Friday, leading the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) to question whether his selection was intended to facilitate the special counsel probe.