Seoul: A parliamentary judiciary subcommittee on Monday approved an opposition-led bill that requires a special counsel to investigate allegations against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The allegations pertain to a scandal involving influence-peddling during the 2022 by-elections.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the scandal centers on claims that Myung Tae-kyun, who describes himself as a power broker, received approximately 76 million won (US$53,280) from former ruling party lawmaker Rep. Kim Young-sun. This payment was allegedly for Myung's assistance in securing her nomination for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.

Myung is accused of securing Kim Young-sun's nomination by conducting public opinion polls that were favorable to Yoon ahead of the 2022 presidential election. The bill, if passed during the plenary session on Thursday, will authorize a special counsel to examine these allegations.

The special counsel will also investigate whether Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee were involved in the nomination processes for the 2022 local elections, by-elections, and last year's parliamentary elections. Six opposition parties introduced the bill on February 11, citing concerns that the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, which is currently investigating Myung, is intentionally delaying its investigation into Yoon. They also plan to explore potential interference by authorities at the Supreme Prosecutors Office and the presidential office of the senior secretary for civil affairs.

During the subcommittee's meeting on Monday, representatives from the ruling People Power Party abstained from participating in the vote.