Woo Won-sik: "Han Deok-su Must Fulfill Duties as Acting Prime Minister" (Update)

"Re-discussing the Special Prosecutor Law on Insurrection and Kim Geon-hee? A Mistake"
"Korea Must Appoint Three Constitutional Court Justices Elected by the National Assembly"

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik urged Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-su to process the so-called 'Special Investigation Act on the Rebellion' and the 'Special Investigation Act on Kim Geon-hee.' Although both bills passed the plenary session of the National Assembly, Acting President Han has delayed submitting the bills to the Cabinet meeting for promulgation, claiming there was no bipartisan agreement.

At an emergency press conference held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 24th, Speaker Woo stated, "On the 14th, the National Assembly decided to impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol in accordance with the will of the people," adding, "I expected the subsequent procedures to proceed smoothly according to the Constitution, but confusion still remains." He continued, "It is very regrettable that Acting President Han is at the center of this," and pointed out, "Whether to accept the bills or exercise the right to request reconsideration (veto) is a matter for Acting President Han to decide."

Speaker Woo Won-shik is holding a press conference on the current political situation at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He criticized, "Proposing to reconsider the two bills is a very wrong move," and said, "The National Assembly has done its part, and now it is the government and Acting President Han's turn to work; to revert this to a previous stage is an unacceptable claim." He also mentioned, "No president in history has refused investigations into their family or close associates," and "President Yoon repeatedly exercised his veto power, which drew significant public criticism and anger."

Speaker Woo also emphasized that Acting President Han should promptly appoint the three constitutional court justices recommended by the National Assembly. He explained, "The formation of a nine-member Constitutional Court is a strong demand from the Constitutional Court to the National Assembly," adding, "Three justices were recommended based on consensus, and confirmation hearings are underway." Furthermore, he added, "The appointment of constitutional court justices elected by the National Assembly to ensure the proper functioning of constitutional institutions should not be used as a subject of political negotiation."