South Korea's Democratic Party confronts ETF market turmoil and names special prosecutor

Acting Democratic Party leader Han Byung‑do announced that the party will closely review the introduction process of single‑stock leveraged exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) and the adequacy of investor‑protection measures after a wave of market volatility centered on semiconductor stocks. He said the party will work with the government and financial regulators to reduce uncertainty in the capital market.

The party also nominated lawyer Choi Gil‑soo as a candidate for the special inspection officer (special prosecutor) role, a position left vacant for nearly ten years. The nomination follows President Lee Jae‑myung’s repeated calls to fill the post and will proceed through parliamentary recommendation and presidential appointment.

In parallel, the opposition People Power Party’s ethics committee faced internal disputes over alleged leaks of confidential discussions, with the chair warning of possible dismissals for members who breach secrecy rules. Additional commentary from lawmakers highlighted ongoing debates over prosecutorial powers and recent criminal procedure reforms.

These coordinated moves reflect heightened political activity in South Korea as parties address both financial market stability and anti‑corruption oversight.