Kwon Seong-dong: "Korean Acting President Cannot Appoint Constitutional Court Justices Until Yoon's Impeachment Decision"

Kwon Seong-dong "Democratic Party's Position Has Changed 180 Degrees Since Park Impeachment Crisis"
"Choo Mi-ae and Woo Sang-ho Say Hwang Kyo-ahn Will Not Be Appointed as Judge"

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, on the 17th criticized the Democratic Party for pressuring Acting President Han Deok-su to appoint Constitutional Court justices, arguing, "The Acting President can appoint Constitutional Court justices in the event of a presidential vacancy, but should not be able to do so during a suspension of presidential duties."

At the morning floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Acting Leader Kwon said, "The Democratic Party has declared that it will appoint the three Constitutional Court justices recommended by the National Assembly within this year. They intend to complete the confirmation hearings and plenary session approval within two weeks and pressure Acting President Han Deok-su to make the appointments."

He insisted that the precedent set by the appointment of Justice Lee Seon-ae, recommended by the Supreme Court, should be followed. Acting Leader Kwon stated, "In the past, Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn appointed Justice Lee Seon-hye, recommended by the Supreme Court, after the Constitutional Court finally accepted the impeachment motion. Currently, since this is a suspension of duties situation rather than a presidential vacancy, Acting President Han Deok-su cannot appoint Constitutional Court justices until the impeachment trial decision is made."

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He also pointed out the changed attitude of the Democratic Party compared to the time of Justice Lee Seon-ae's appointment in 2017. Acting Leader Kwon noted, "During the Park Geun-hye impeachment crisis, the Democratic Party criticized Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn's exercise of appointment rights for Constitutional Court justices as a violation of democracy.

Furthermore, then Democratic Party leader Choo Mi-ae stated that the Acting President could not appoint Constitutional Court justices, which was the majority opinion among constitutional scholars. At that time, Floor Leader Woo Sang-ho also refused to ratify the justices appointed by Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn. Additionally, Park Beom-gye, then the National Assembly Judiciary Committee secretary, said that the Acting President could not form constitutional institutions. In other words, the Democratic Party's current rush to appoint Constitutional Court justices is completely opposite to their past claims.

He claimed that the Democratic Party is also responsible for the Constitutional Court justice vacancy crisis. Acting Leader Kwon said, "Over the past two months, while the Democratic Party has repeatedly submitted impeachment motions against cabinet members and prosecutors, they have been uncooperative regarding the appointment of Constitutional Court justices, leading to government paralysis. The People Power Party proposed that each party recommend and appoint at least one justice first, but the Democratic Party refused to negotiate."

He added, "As soon as the presidential impeachment motion passed the National Assembly, they have been focused on appointing Constitutional Court justices, even engaging in actions completely contrary to their past claims. What exactly is the Democratic Party trying to achieve with their politics? Are they doing politics just to impeach?" He urged reflection, saying, "No matter how addicted to impeachment the Democratic Party is, they should not engage in collective unconstitutional acts."