The People Power Party recommended on the 5th Kim Yong-kwan, managing partner at law firm Baeksong; Choi Chang-ho, attorney at law firm Jeongnon; and Cha Jin-ah, professor at Korea University Law School, as members of the Public Recommendation Committee to review candidates for a special counsel investigation into allegations of infringement on citizens' right to vote, including the ballot paper shortage incident during the June 3 local elections.

Kim Seung-soo, senior deputy chief of staff for parliamentary affairs, announced the selections at a National Assembly briefing, stating that he had received an official request for recommendations from the National Assembly Speaker. He described the nominees as "individuals who collectively possess the fair judgment of a former judge, the investigative expertise of a prosecutor, and the institutional insight of a constitutional scholar," calling them "an ideal combination for the independent and fair selection of a special counsel candidate."

Overview of Special Counsel Appointment Process

The Public Recommendation Committee consists of six members in total, with three recommended each by the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, and appointed by the National Assembly Speaker. The subsequent procedure is as follows:

• Upon the President's request for special counsel candidate recommendations, the Public Recommendation Committee delegates the candidate recommendation to the Korean Bar Association and the Law School Council within two days.
• Each organization recommends three candidates with at least 15 years of legal experience within five days.
• The Public Recommendation Committee selects two from among them by unanimous vote and recommends them to the President through the National Assembly Speaker.
• The President appoints one as special counsel within three days.

Profiles of the Three Recommended Committee Members

Attorney Kim Yong-kwan graduated from Seoul National University's Department of Judicial Studies, passed the 31st Judicial Examination, and served as a judge for over 20 years. He served as a Supreme Court judicial researcher and as a presiding judge at the Seoul Central District Court and Seoul Southern District Court. Deputy Chief Kim introduced him as "a qualified candidate who will judge according to the law and principles, free from political interests."

Attorney Choi Chang-ho graduated from Seoul National University's Department of Judicial Studies, passed the same Judicial Examination as a prosecutor. He has served as the head of the State Litigation Division at the Ministry of Justice, criminal department chief at the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, chief of the Major Economic Crimes Investigation Division at the Western District Prosecutors' Office, and deputy chief prosecutor at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office's Western Branch. He is currently serving as a non-standing member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Deputy Chief Kim explained that Choi is a figure equipped with investigation and state litigation experience, as well as a balanced perspective as an attorney.

Professor Cha Jin-ah graduated from Korea University College of Law, passed the 39th Judicial Examination, and has been serving as a professor at Korea University Law School since 2012. As a constitutional expert in the areas of constitutional order, democracy, and fundamental rights protection, she is expected to contribute to restoring trust in the electoral system.

Deputy Chief Kim stated, "We hope to consult swiftly with the Democratic Party so that a special counsel equipped with fairness, objectivity, and investigative expertise can be selected as soon as possible," adding, "We will make every effort to ensure that the relevant procedures proceed as quickly as possible."