South Korea: Main opposition urges acting president to sign special counsel bills or face consequences

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Seoul, Dec 22 (IANS) South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Sunday urged acting President Han Duck-soo to quickly promulgate special counsel bills against President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, vowing to hold him accountable if he fails to do so.

DP floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae made the call as Han faces a decision on whether to veto the opposition-led bills, mandating special probes into Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration on December 3 and allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee, Yonhap news agency reported.

“If acting President Han does not promulgate the special counsel bills by Tuesday, (we) will immediately hold him responsible,” he said in a news conference at the National Assembly in western Seoul, apparently indicating the DP would push for his impeachment.

Park said a special counsel investigating insurrection charges against Yoon would be “most rational,” also adding there was no reason to delay an investigation into allegations against First Lady Kim over stock manipulation and interference in election nominations.

The National Assembly passed the two bills earlier this month in the aftermath of Yoon’s short-lived martial law imposition.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) slammed the DP’s call, describing the bills as being intended to paralyse state affairs.

“(The bills) were designed by the DP with the ulterior motive of paralysing state affairs and the ruling party,” PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said.

On Thursday, Han vetoed six other contentious bills passed by the National Assembly, marking his first use of the presidential power since assuming interim leadership after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on December 14.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, South Korean police said they had questioned acting President Han Duck-soo over his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched imposition of martial law early this month.

Han was one of nine people the police said they questioned over their attendance at a Cabinet meeting Yoon held shortly before he declared martial law.

This marks the first time Han has been known to have undergone questioning as a suspect in the probe. “Of the 12 people who attended the Cabinet meeting, we questioned nine people, excluding President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho,” a police official said.

“(Han) engaged fully and faithfully in the investigation,” the official said.

–IANS

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Mohammad al-Bashir, the Prime Minister overseeing the transitional government, said his cabinet, composed of ministers from the transitional government, has been tasked by the general leadership to manage Syria’s affairs until March 2025, during which the transitional government aims to assume control of ministries, reintroduce employees to their posts, and restore essential services across the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Our responsibility is to maintain security, protect the integrity of institutions, and prevent the fragmentation of the state,” al-Bashir told reporters. “We want to ensure that Syrians receive the services they deserve during this interim phase until a new government is formed that meets the aspirations of Syrian society.”

Al-Bashir underscored the need for cooperation from outgoing ministers, particularly in handing over files and responsibilities.

“We hope the ministers from the deposed regime will assist their successors,” he said, emphasising that a smooth transition is crucial to delivering uninterrupted public services to the Syrian people.

–IANS

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‘Jungle Raj’: BJP attacks Jharkhand govt over deteriorating law and order

Ranchi, Dec 13 (IANS) Jharkhand BJP’s acting president and former MP Ravindra Kumar Ray criticised the Hemant Soren-led state government, alleging that law and order situation has deteriorated in the state.

At a press conference held at the state office here on Friday, Ray stated that recent incidents across districts like East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Latehar, and Chatra indicate the return of “Jungle Raj.”

Ray highlighted a surge in violent incidents, including multiple murders in Chaibasa within a span of five to six days. “These incidents are shameful. Innocent villagers were targeted by extremists while the police failed to act. This inaction has forced youths to take up arms for self-defense. Reports suggest many casualties,” he said.

The BJP leader also pointed to other alarming events — the killing of two individuals in East Singhbhum during clashes over sand quarry dominance, arson targeting railway contractors’ vehicles in Latehar, and the brutal murder of a person at the Ranchi-Chatra border.

He compared the situation to the “Jungle Raj” in Bihar under the RJD, where unchecked extremism and lawlessness prevailed.

Recalling the past, Ray said, “When Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in 2000, the region inherited the Maoist menace that thrived under Bihar’s RJD regime. During that period, crimes like the murder of MPs, MLAs, and even the son of a former Chief Minister were rampant. Levy collection from industrialists and businessmen became routine. It was only through the concerted efforts of BJP-led governments at the Centre and state that extremism was curbed effectively.”

Ray lauded the previous BJP governments for a crackdown on extremism, emphasizing that numerous extremists surrendered, were neutralized by security forces, or fled Jharkhand altogether. “Their hideouts were demolished, and their activities curtailed significantly,” he remarked.

However, Ray expressed concern that organized crime and extremism have surged again under the current administration. “Rural communities are being forced to arm themselves for self-defense, and some have resorted to mass actions against extremists. Villagers are staying awake through the night to protect their lives and property, fearing reprisal from the government for their self-defense efforts,” he alleged.

The BJP leader further accused extremists of intimidating the public and businessmen to extort money from sand quarries, coal mines, and other natural resources. “The Hemant Soren government has even declared 24 roads in the state as unsafe, which is a glaring testament to the deteriorating law and order situation,” he said.

Ray demanded that the state government take immediate and decisive action to restore law and order. “The government must prioritize public safety and ensure the rule of law is reestablished,” he urged.

–IANS

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