South Korea Parliament Set to End 10-Year Vacancy of Special Inspector

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party and opposition People Power Party have each put forward a former prosecutor as a candidate for the long‑vacant special inspector post. The Democratic Party nominated lawyer Choi Gil‑soo, while the People Power Party put forward lawyer Kang Ji‑sik. The special inspector, created during the Park Geun‑hye administration, is tasked with monitoring the president’s spouse, close relatives within four degrees, and senior officials at the Blue House. The position has remained empty since the resignation of the first inspector in 2016.

President Lee Jae‑myung has urged the National Assembly to complete the appointment process, which requires the parliament to recommend three candidates, the president to select one, and a confirmation hearing to follow. With two candidates already named, the parties are negotiating the selection of the third nominee, likely through the Korean Bar Association, aiming to finalize the appointment before the September regular session of the National Assembly.