Some members of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) appear ready to join hands with the opposition parties to override President Yoon Suk-yeol’s veto of the Corporal Chae Special Counsel Act and push for a re-vote.

This move could significantly impact the Yoon administration by diminishing the president’s authority and giving momentum to opposition-led impeachment proceedings.

A successful veto override would aggravate the relationship between the conservative-led executive and progressive-controlled legislative branches, potentially leading to political instability and policy gridlock.

The Corporal Chae Special Counsel Act originated from the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun, a 21-year-old marine who died during a flood recovery operation in July 2023. Allegations of inadequate safety measures and the military’s mishandling of the investigation have led to calls for a special counsel investigation.

Yoon cited ongoing investigations to justify his veto of the bill mandating a special counsel probe, stating that they are sufficient and that he would consider a special prosecutorial investigation only if the public found the current probes unsatisfactory.

The late ROK Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun’s funeral photo (center), Korean War marine veterans salute during the anniversary of the retaking of Seoul on Sep. 25, 2023 | Image: ROK Marine Corps via Facebook, edited by Korea Pro

CORPORAL CHAE SU-GEUN

The initial probe into Chae’s death revealed that neither he nor his fellow marines were equipped with life vests during the mission.

The military’s handling of the investigation compounded the controversy. Colonel Park Jung-hun, the Marine Corps provost marshal, recommended charges of negligence against the company, battalion, brigade and division commanders.

However, allegations surfaced that the defense ministry attempted to interfere with the investigation, pressuring Park to omit charges of criminal negligence.

As details became public, opposition parties demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into Chae’s death. The perception of a potential cover-up and the military’s failure to prioritize safety fueled calls for a special counsel investigation.

PRESIDENTIAL VETO AND REASONING

Yoon’s veto of the bill marked the 10th use of his veto powers since taking office in May 2022, drawing strong criticism from opposition parties.

The government cited problems with the bill’s content and deliberation process. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo mentioned issues like the overwhelming power granted to investigators and the lack of fair representation of the two major parties in the investigation committee.

The government argued these aspects were potentially unconstitutional and needed addressing before enactment.

Yoon’s veto and the government’s reasoning have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters saw it as necessary for ensuring constitutional and fair processes, while critics viewed it as an attempt to shield military and administration officials from accountability.

The veto has fueled suspicions of a cover-up and raised questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and justice — a stain on Yoon’s reputation as a former prosecutor general.

Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party (DP), have accused the president of disregarding the public’s demand for an independent investigation and vowed to push to override the veto and re-vote in the National Assembly.

DP leader Lee Jae-myung urged PPP lawmakers to prioritize justice by backing the re-vote, emphasizing the special counsel’s role in uncovering the truth behind Chae’s death and restoring public trust.

Civic groups and activists also demanded a special counsel investigation, organizing protests and online campaigns to pressure the government.

Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung holds a press conference at the National Assembly to condemn Yoon’s veto | Image: Democratic Party of Korea

RULING PARTY SPLIT

With 57% of the public supporting the special probe, some ruling party members have begun to hint they will support the special counsel investigation, citing the need to address public concerns and maintain democratic integrity as they signal a potential break from the party line.

Dissent among PPP lawmakers has raised the possibility of a successful veto override, which would require at least 17 ruling party lawmakers to vote in favor of the re-vote alongside the opposition.

PPP lawmakers like Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Woong and Yoo Ui-dong have publicly stated their intention to try to override the veto, encouraging others who might share similar sentiments to vote against the party line.

Some PPP lawmakers, especially those who faced competitive races in last month’s parliamentary elections, will likely be under pressure to align with public opinion and support the special counsel investigation to secure their political futures.

As internal divisions within the PPP have become more apparent, the party’s leadership has scrambled to maintain unity and prevent a large-scale defection. PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho emphasized party discipline and urged members to respect the president’s veto, warning that overriding it could undermine the party’s stability and credibility.

IMPLICATIONS OF A VETO OVERRIDE

A successful veto override would diminish the president’s power and demonstrate the National Assembly’s ability to challenge and overrule his decisions.

This could set a precedent for future confrontations between the executive and legislative branches, weakening the president’s ability to govern effectively.

Moreover, a veto override would be seen as the ruling party distancing itself from an unpopular president ahead of the next presidential election. With public opinion favoring the special counsel investigation, PPP lawmakers supporting the override would be viewed as prioritizing public sentiment over party loyalty, potentially improving their electoral prospects.

The veto override would also lead to increased scrutiny of the administration’s handling of other controversial issues, such as scandals involving the first lady and the Itaewon crowd crush investigation.

First lady Kim Keon-hee has faced numerous allegations, including stock manipulation and accepting inappropriate gifts, that have damaged the president’s reputation. A veto override would embolden the opposition and the public to demand more investigations into these scandals.

Similarly, the administration’s response to the Itaewon crowd crush incident, which claimed 159 lives in Oct. 2022, has been criticized as insufficient and lacking transparency. A successful veto override in the Chae case would likely renew calls for a more comprehensive investigation into the Itaewon incident.

Most concerningly for Yoon, a veto override would heighten the risk of impeachment proceedings. While the opposition lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass an impeachment motion, a successful override could signal the president’s weakening position and encourage more ruling party members to break rank.

However, impeachment would still face significant challenges. The opposition would need substantial PPP support to reach the two-thirds threshold, which may prove difficult given the high political stakes.

Additionally, even if an impeachment motion passed the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court would need to approve it, requiring a compelling legal case against the president.

Despite these challenges, the mere threat of impeachment could severely undermine Yoon’s authority, diverting the administration’s attention from key policy initiatives and further eroding public trust in the government.

Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung offers remarks during a meeting with ruling People Power Party interim leader Hwang Woo-yeo, May 2024 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea

POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AND GOVERNANCE

With the opposition holding a majority in the National Assembly, the DP may be less inclined to cooperate with the administration on important bills related to the economy, social welfare and other critical issues if emboldened by a successful veto override. This could lead to legislative deadlock and delay needed reforms.

Moreover, the political fallout from a veto override could contribute to a breakdown in public trust in the government, leading to increased social unrest and protests. This instability could make it harder for the government to tackle pressing challenges, such as the rising cost of living.

The combination of a strained executive-legislative relationship, legislative deadlock and political instability could have far-reaching consequences for South Korea’s economic growth, social cohesion and international standing.

Faced with these challenges, the Yoon administration finds itself confronted with the need to engage with the opposition, increase transparency and respond more proactively to public demands for reform.

Failure to address these issues could have severe consequences for the Yoon administration and the country.

Edited by Alannah Hill