"Insurrection, Kim Geonhee, Marine Death" Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Bill Passes Cabinet... Investigation Team Up to 251 Members

"Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Committee" Elevated to Prime Minister's Office
Basic Social Committee Establishment and Operation Plan Also Passes Cabinet
Five Promulgation Bills, Nine Legislative Bills, Thirteen Presidential Decree

The second comprehensive special prosecutor bill, aimed at further investigating unresolved aspects of the so-called "three major special prosecutor cases"-including the insurrection, the Kim Geonhee case, and the death in the line of duty of a Marine-has passed the Cabinet meeting. This comes just four days after its passage in the National Assembly plenary session.

Yonhap News

On January 20, the government, presided over by President Lee Jaemyung at the Blue House, deliberated and approved a total of five promulgation bills, nine legislative bills, thirteen presidential decrees, and three general agenda items, including the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill, during the Cabinet meeting.

The targets of investigation under the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill, which passed the Cabinet meeting on this day, include matters not addressed by the three major special prosecutor cases: the "Noh Sangwon Notebook," allegations of insurrection, treason, and military rebellion involving former President Yoon Sukyeol, and various suspicions of election and power interference involving the former president and his spouse.

According to the comprehensive special prosecutor bill, the president is to appoint a special prosecutor from among two candidates, each recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea and the largest non-negotiating bloc in the National Assembly. The president also appoints five assistant special prosecutors from among candidates selected by the special prosecutor. The special prosecutor may request the dispatch of up to 15 prosecutors and 130 government officials from relevant agencies, with the total investigation team capped at 251 members. The special prosecutor must decide within 90 days from the day after the 20-day preparation period whether to complete the investigation and file charges, with the possibility of extending the investigation period twice, for up to 30 days each, through prescribed procedures.

Additionally, to ensure objective and fair investigations of aviation and railway accidents, the "Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board," previously under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, will be elevated to an organization under the Prime Minister. The promulgation bill for the partial amendment of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Act, which aims to enhance the expertise of the board and strengthen disqualification criteria for its members, was also deliberated and approved. Furthermore, the promulgation bill for the partial amendment of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management, which provides the legal basis for support centers operated by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and mandates annual surveys to facilitate efficient disaster recovery and victim support, has also passed the Cabinet meeting.

Moreover, presidential decrees were deliberated and approved, including the enforcement decree of the Basic Act on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development and Trust Building, the partial amendment to the enforcement decree of the Civil Execution Act, and the regulation on the establishment and operation of the Basic Social Committee. Under the amended Civil Execution Act, the maximum monthly deposit in accounts exempt from seizure for living expenses will be raised from 1.85 million won to 2.5 million won. The Basic Social Committee, established and operated under the new regulations, will serve as a policy control tower, overseeing, coordinating, and supporting related policies pursued by various ministries, with the goal of realizing a "basic society" that guarantees a stable life and diverse opportunities for all.

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy and Finance reported on the outcomes and follow-up plans for President Lee's visits to China and Japan. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented measures to expand the use of the Shanghai office of the Korean Provisional Government. Other ministry reports included plans to reinvent the roles of overseas diplomatic missions, policies affecting the public that will change in 2026, and a review of additional Hangul signboard installations at Gwanghwamun.