PPP leaders gather outside Cheong Wa Dae to protest special counsel bill

On November 9, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) sent leaders to protest outside Cheong Wa Dae, in Seoul, over the passage of a bill for a special counsel investigation into President Lee Jae Myung and others. This came after the ruling Democratic Party pushed the bill through the National Assembly's plenary session on Friday.

The legislation proposes appointing an independent counsel to determine if prosecutors under former President Yoon Suk Yeol fabricated evidence or induced false testimonies when building cases against the former opposition leader and others. The PPP has vehemently opposed the bill, arguing it is a ploy to nullify all indictments against Lee, who is currently facing charges for his alleged involvement in corrupt development schemes, illegal remittances to North Korea, and misuse of a government charge card.

These charges stem from his time as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province. The bill has cleared the National Assembly and is now awaiting approval at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok stated during the Supreme Council meeting that the fate of Lee Jae Myung's potential release is in his own hands.

Jang cautioned of potential backlash from the people, possibly including impeachment, if the bill is approved. The PPP's opposition to the bill has taken various forms, including a rally outside the National Assembly on Friday, a large outdoor rally near Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on Saturday, and a series of one-person protests outside Cheong Wa Dae scheduled for Monday.

Party floor leader Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig initiated the one-person protests, with the next one set to take place on Monday. The party also plans to hold a general meeting of lawmakers outside the presidential office on Tuesday.