People Power Party Claims DP-Led Special Counsel 'Tainted' by 'Coupang Luncheon'
The People Power Party (PPP) is alleging that a luncheon between Democratic Party (DP) Representative Seo Young-kyo and Coupang officials could undermine the fairness of the special investigation into alleged pressure to interfere with an investigation regarding Coupang severance pay. PPP Senior Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon issued a statement criticizing Seo's luncheon with the head of the Korean Bar Association and Coupang executives, raising concerns about the probe's impartiality.
Park stated that "the controversy over DP-originated contamination erupted even before the special counsel discussion began," questioning the probe's neutrality. The PPP highlighted the timing of the luncheon, which took place the day after President Yoon Suk-yeol appointed a special counsel to investigate the alleged pressure to interfere with the Coupang severance pay probe, suggesting the timing was inappropriate and could cast doubt on the investigation's fairness.
Rep. Seo explained that the luncheon was a meeting with officials from the Korean Bar Association. However, the PPP countered that the Coupang executive who attended the luncheon with Seo was a former DP aide, making it difficult to view the meeting as merely with association officials. It was revealed that the Coupang executive also holds the position of Director of Political Affairs at the Korean Bar Association while still serving as a Coupang executive, further fueling the controversy. Based on these facts, the PPP is raising suspicions of collusion between Rep. Seo and Coupang, escalating its offensive. The luncheon came to light after news outlets captured DP Floor Leader Kim Byung-gi receiving a report regarding the luncheon through a Telegram message from an aide during a meeting of the National Assembly's Steering Committee.
The controversy has intensified as the names of the luncheon attendees have been revealed. Rep. Seo Young-kyo has previously called for a thorough investigation by the special counsel into the 'Coupang investigation pressure' case and the 'destruction of ballot tape' case. However, the current luncheon controversy has sparked doubts about the credibility of Rep. Seo's claims and raised questions about the fairness of the special counsel.
The PPP characterizes this controversy as revealing the true nature of a "DP-managed special counsel," asserting that a thorough verification is necessary to ensure the probe's neutrality and fairness. They are also demanding additional clarification from Rep. Seo regarding her explanation and a review of the entire special counsel appointment process. Senior Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon criticized that "the DP is openly revealing its intention to shake the Yoon Suk-yeol administration through the special counsel," and that "this luncheon controversy further strengthens the suspicion that the DP is trying to exploit the special counsel for political gain."
Meanwhile, the DP refuted the PPP's claims, calling them "political attacks to disparage legitimate legislative activities," and stated that they "will do their best to guarantee the special counsel's independence and ensure a fair investigation." Rep. Seo Young-kyo also clarified that "the luncheon was simply a meeting with association officials and will not have any impact on the special counsel." The special counsel investigation into the 'Coupang severance pay investigation pressure' allegations was formed through bipartisan agreement, and the special counsel team plans to investigate the allegations through summoning individuals for questioning and analyzing data. The special counsel is expected to release the results of its investigation in the future.
