Rival parties have agreed to introduce an independent counsel to investigate an influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her close confidante Choi Soon-sil.
The vice floor leaders of the ruling Saenuri Party, main opposition Democratic Party and the minor opposition People's Party announced the agreement during a joint news conference on Monday at the National Assembly.
The three parties also agreed to carry out a separate parliamentary probe into the scandal and plan to pass the two investigation plans during the parliamentary plenary session on Thursday.
An independent counsel will be recommended by the two opposition parties and the special probe team will consist of one independent counsel, one assistant counsel, 20 prosecutors and 40 investigators.
The parties agreed that the team will investigate the scandal for up to 120 days and the investigative period can be extended by 30 days.
Source: KBS World Radio
