Breaking News: Opposition Bloc Nominates Jeon Jun-cheol, Kwon Chang-young as Second Comprehensive Special Counsel Candidates

The Democratic Party of Korea has nominated Jeon Jun-cheol, a lawyer at Kim & Chang, as its candidate for the "second comprehensive special counsel" aimed at supplementing the "three special counsels" investigating insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, and the marine's death in the line of duty.

Born in 1972, Jeon completed the 31st class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute and built his career in criminal justice over 16 years as a prosecutor. He served as head of the special investigation division at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office and the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office before becoming chief prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. He has been practicing as a criminal defense lawyer at Kim & Chang since 2021.

In a phone call with The Seoul Economic Daily, Jeon said he had "not yet received final confirmation from the Democratic Party," but expressed his commitment, saying he would "work hard if appointed."

The Rebuilding Korea Party nominated Kwon Chang-young, an adjunct professor at Seoul National University School of Law. Kwon, a former judge, served as an editorial committee member and secretary of the Supreme Court's Labor Law Practice Research Society.

The second comprehensive special counsel, which passed the Cabinet meeting on December 20, is expected to begin operations as early as this month. The probe covers not only former President Yoon Suk-yeol's insurrection and treason charges but also allegations of first lady Kim Keon-hee's interference in state affairs, including the "Yangpyeong Expressway suspicions." The investigation covers 17 cases in total, with a maximum of 251 investigators and a maximum investigation period of 170 days.