The 'Constitutional Sword' Is Drawn: 3 Investigation Variables and the 150-Day Clock Left by the Launch of Korea's 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor

Why you should care now: Where three swords were sheathed, a fourth has been drawn. This time, the scale and duration are unlike anything before.

TL;DR

• Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young's 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor held its signboard ceremony at the Gwacheon office on February 25, officially commencing operations
• Investigation targets: remaining allegations from the three major special prosecutors (insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, Marine Corps) + 17 new cases
• Up to 150 days (90 + 30 + 30), with a maximum of 251 investigators — a "mammoth" operation
• Kwon's first message: "The special prosecutor is the constitutional sword — we will investigate thoroughly, with no sacred cows"
• Possibility of results being released before the June 4 local elections → a variable shaping Korea's political landscape

The Facts: What Launched Today

On February 25, 2026, the 'Special Prosecutor for Investigating the Truth Behind Insurrection, Foreign Interference, and State Administration Corruption by Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee' (2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor) held its signboard ceremony at offices in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young heads the office, supported by four deputy special prosecutors — Kwon Young-bin, Kim Jeong-min, Kim Ji-mi, and Jin Eul-jong.

The base investigation period is 90 days (~until May 25), extendable twice by 30 days each with presidential approval, for a maximum of 150 days. The investigative team will number up to 251 personnel.

Why It's Making Waves Now

1. Filling the Gaps Left by the 'Three Major Special Prosecutors'

With the Insurrection Special Prosecutor (Jo Eun-seok), the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor, and the Marine Corps Special Prosecutor each wrapping up or still in progress, the 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's core targets are the allegations those offices left unresolved due to time constraints or jurisdictional limits. Specifically, 17 matters are cited — including allegations related to General No Sang-won's notebook, defense industry corruption, and suspected NIS involvement.

2. Collision with the Political Calendar

Ahead of the June 4, 2026 local elections, the investigation results of the 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor are likely to be disclosed before the vote. Both ruling and opposition parties are reading the investigation timeline as a political variable.

3. The Debate Over the Scope of 'No Sacred Cows'

Special Prosecutor Kwon used the phrase "constitutional sword" at the ceremony. The key question is how far Kwon — a former prosecutor — will reach toward ex-prosecutors-general and politicians.

Context: Why a Fourth Special Prosecutor?

Having four special prosecutors operating simultaneously or in succession is unprecedented in South Korea's constitutional history. The People Power Party has criticized it as "special prosecutor abuse," but the legal legitimacy is secured since the law passed in a Democratic Party-led National Assembly.

Outlook: 3 Key Investigation Variables

1. First summons target: Who Kwon calls first will signal the investigation's direction. Political circles are watching the line of former prime ministers and national security advisors.
2. Cooperation vs. competition with the Insurrection SP: If the two offices' investigative scopes overlap, conflict may arise — and questions of prosecutorial authority could come to the fore.
3. Timing of announcements before the June 4 election: The 150-day period ends around July 24, but if indictments or interim results emerge before June, the election landscape will be directly affected.

Checklist: What to Watch Going Forward

Reference Links

• 2nd Special Prosecutor Officially Launches: 'Constitutional Sword' — Asia Economy
• 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Launches, Up to 150-Day Investigation — Chosun Ilbo
• 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Launches — Hankyoreh

Image Source

• National Assembly Building in Seoul, Korea — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)