The Real Cause of Martial Law is 'Myeong Taegyun?'... Why the Democratic Party Called for a Special Prosecutor [Political Spotlight]

Myeong Taegyun Special Prosecutor Bill to Be Submitted at 2 p.m.
Democratic Party Also Urges Proactive Investigation by Prosecution

The Democratic Party of Korea's identification of the 'Myeong Taegyun Gate' as the hidden background of the December 3 emergency martial law is a variable factor that will influence the political landscape. Their aggressive push, including expressing the intention to pass the special prosecutor law by February, is a strategic move to seize control of the political situation. The Democratic Party is simultaneously pressuring the prosecution investigation and promoting fact-finding efforts at the National Assembly level, separate from the special prosecutor law.

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party's floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th, "To fully uncover the December 3 insurrection incident, the Myeong Taegyun Special Prosecutor Law is inevitable," adding, "The Democratic Party will ensure that the special prosecutor law is passed within February." The special prosecutor law related to Mr. Myeong is expected to be submitted at 2 p.m. that day.

Floor leader Park raised suspicions about the connection between the emergency martial law and the Myeong Taegyun Gate, citing former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun's testimony to the prosecution that President Yoon was involved in nomination interference allegations and that emergency measures were necessary, as well as Mr. Myeong's claim that the martial law was imposed out of fear of exposing public opinion manipulation involving President Yoon and his wife and Mr. Myeong.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. 2025.2.11 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The Democratic Party criticized the prosecution in charge of the related investigation for not conducting a proper investigation and raised the necessity of a special prosecutor. Kim Yong-min, the Democratic Party's deputy floor leader, said, "On December 12 last year, the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office obtained Mr. Myeong's golden phone, but the prosecution has not summoned politicians related to Mr. Myeong and Mrs. Kim Kun-hee for questioning," and questioned, "Are they trying to quietly close the case according to the results while watching the insurrection investigation?" The Democratic Party plans to summon Mr. Myeong as a witness for an urgent National Assembly inquiry on the 19th and proceed with the inquiry. Separately, the Democratic Party also decided to promote a permanent special prosecutor regarding allegations of pressure on drug investigations.

This move by the Democratic Party is based on a strategy to fundamentally overcome the situation where public opinion has split between conservatives and progressives following the December 3 emergency martial law incident. If it is revealed that the martial law was imposed to prevent the exposure of the dark secrets of the Myeong Taegyun Gate, it is a political calculation that the flow of public opinion can be shifted in favor of the Democratic Party. Furthermore, they intend to investigate the connections between politicians affiliated with the People Power Party who defend President Yoon and Mr. Myeong, and pursue accountability.

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Notably, the Democratic Party is employing a hard-and-soft strategy against the prosecution, separate from the special prosecutor. While pressuring the prosecution for sluggish investigations on one hand, on the other hand, the Democratic Party also expressed the view that the Myeong Taegyun Gate is an opportunity for the prosecution to regain public trust. Yang Bu-nam, a Democratic Party lawmaker and former prosecutor, said, "This Myeong Taegyun Gate investigation may be the last gate for the prosecution to find its own raison d'?tre," adding, "Following the people's orders is the way for the prosecution to survive." If the prosecution achieves results in the investigation, it could serve as an opportunity to dispel the deep-rooted distrust toward the prosecution.