President Lee to nominate special prosecutor candidate, reviving 10-year dormant system

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to nominate a candidate for the special prosecutor position on August 24, marking the potential reactivation of a system that has been dormant for approximately a decade. The nomination is a critical step towards re-establishing an oversight mechanism for the president's inner circle. Three candidates are reportedly under consideration: lawyers Choi Gil-soo, recommended by the Democratic Party; Kang Ji-sik, recommended by the People Power Party; and Choi Yong-hoon, recommended by the Korean Bar Association. The president must select one from this list by August 24, according to the Special Prosecutor Act. Once nominated, the candidate will face a parliamentary confirmation hearing before being formally appointed. The special prosecutor's office is tasked with investigating alleged misconduct among the president's relatives and senior aides. This role previously fell vacant after the resignation of the first special prosecutor, Lee Suk-soo, in 2016 amid a contentious investigation into a former senior secretary. President Lee first signaled his intent to revive the system in July of the previous year, emphasizing its importance for preventing potential misfortunes within his family and close associates. He reiterated his call for the National Assembly to expedite the appointment process in April, following a lack of progress. The office itself is preparing for the confirmation hearings, despite currently having only two staff members, and is expected to request personnel from relevant government agencies to facilitate its operations.