( LEAD ) Ruling party says it respects acting president ' s decision not to extend special probe ( ATTN : ADDS details throughout ) By Kang Yoon - seung SEOUL , Feb . 27 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea ' s ruling Liberty Korea Party said Monday it respects the acting president ' s decision not to extend the special probe into a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun - hye . Earlier in the day , Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo - ahn rejected the independent counsel ' s request to extend the term of the independent counsel , which ends Tuesday . " Hwang has made a stern decision for the sake of national interests and stability , unaffected by illegitimate threats and pressure . We respect it , " said Rep . Chung Woo - taik , the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party . While the opposition parties demanded a month ' s extension , the ruling party has been opposed to a prolonged investigation , which it fears would help the opposition bloc in the presidential election . The whip said the remaining part of the investigation can be carried out by state prosecutors . Political pundits said the ruling party is supporting the acting president as Hwang is one of the very few popular figures among potential presidential candidates from the conservative bloc . According to the poll by Realmeter , Hwang , who has not yet formally announced his presidential ambitions , posted an approval rating of 10 . 9 percent last week . This is down 3 . 9 percentage points on - week but by far the highest number among conservatives . In contrast , Moon Jae - in , former head of the main opposition Democratic Party , posted a positive number of 33 . 5 percent . The ruling party also said the opposition parties ' move to push the impeachment of the acting president came from political intentions , especially amid the rising speculation that Hwang may actually run for the country ' s top office this year . Rep . Chung Woo - taik , the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party , speaks to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb . 27 , 2017 . ( Yonhap ) colin @ yna . co . kr ( END )