Seoul: The opposition-led National Assembly has passed a revision to parliamentary rules that removes the ruling party from the process of nominating a special prosecutor to investigate corruption involving the president or his family. The revised bill was approved in a 179-102 vote during a plenary session, effectively excluding the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) from recommending two of the seven members of a recommendation committee for a permanent special prosecutor in such investigations. According to Yonhap News Agency, under the new rules, minor opposition parties, such as the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Jinbo party, will gain the right to recommend one member each. This legislative change follows the main opposition Democratic Party's (DP) earlier pledge to address controversies involving first lady Kim Keon Hee. This came after President Yoon Suk Yeol's veto of a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into allegations against Kim, which include involvement in a stock manipulation sch eme, illegally accepting a luxury bag, and interfering with the PPP's candidate nominations ahead of last April's general elections. Additionally, the DP unilaterally passed a revised bill requiring government intervention when rice prices fluctuate significantly, which includes measures such as purchasing surplus rice or releasing government stocks. The Assembly also ratified a new defense cost-sharing deal between South Korea and the United States. Last month, Seoul and Washington finalized the five-year agreement, determining Seoul's share of the cost for maintaining the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea, just days before the U.S. presidential election on November 5. Under the 12th Special Measures Agreement, which will last until 2030, South Korea will pay 1.52 trillion won (US$1.19 billion) in 2026, an 8.3 percent increase from 1.4 trillion won in 2025. The deal emerged amid speculation that South Korea was aiming to conclude an early agreement to avoid potentially difficult negotiations if former Presi dent Donald Trump were to return to office, given Trump's previous demands for a substantial increase in Seoul's contribution, up to $50 billion, during his tenure.