Woo Won-sik "Concerned about Han Deok-su's impeachment... Must fulfill duties as acting authority" (Comprehensive)

"Re-discussing the Special Prosecutor Law on Insurrection and Kim Geon-hee? A Mistake"
"Korea Must Appoint 3 Constitutional Court Justices Elected by the National Assembly"
"Please Make Efforts to Avoid the 'Worst-Case Scenario'"

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik urged Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to process the so-called 'Special Investigation Act on Internal Rebellion' and the 'Special Investigation Act on Kim Geon-hee.' He also emphasized that Acting President Han should promptly proceed with the appointment procedures for the three constitutional court justices to be elected by the National Assembly. Regarding the impeachment of Acting President Han being pushed by the opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea, Speaker Woo expressed concern, saying, "It is worrisome," and added, "Acting President Han must fulfill the duties required of him as Acting President."

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-youl in accordance with the will of the people," and continued, "I expected the subsequent procedures to proceed smoothly according to the Constitution, but confusion still persists." He further remarked, "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 decision for Acting President Han." Acting President Han has delayed submitting the bills passed by the plenary session of the National Assembly to the Cabinet meeting for promulgation, claiming that there was no bipartisan agreement on the bills.

Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, adjusts his glasses before holding a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News.

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's and Acting President Han's turn to work; to revert this to the previous stage is an unacceptable claim." He also mentioned, "No president in history has refused investigations into their family or close aides," and added, "President Yoon repeatedly exercised his veto power, which drew significant public criticism and anger." The current Special Investigation Act on Kim Geon-hee is the fourth version of the bill to pass the plenary session after revisions. Previous versions were repeatedly discarded due to veto requests.

Speaker Woo also stressed that Acting President Han should swiftly appoint the three constitutional court justices recommended by the National Assembly. He explained, "The nine-member Constitutional Court composition is a strong demand from the Constitutional Court to the National Assembly," and added, "Three justices were recommended based on consensus, and confirmation hearings are underway." Furthermore, he stated, "The appointment of constitutional court justices elected by the National Assembly to ensure the normal operation of constitutional institutions should not be used as a subject of political negotiation." The National Assembly, led by the opposition, plans to conclude the confirmation hearings for candidates Ma Eun-hyuk, Jung Kye-seon, and Cho Han-chang by today.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, held a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and announced his position regarding the remarks made by Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the same day concerning the special investigation law on the insurrection and Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, as well as the appointment of constitutional court justices. Photo by Yonhap News

While criticizing Acting President Han for his reserved attitude toward processing the special investigation bills and appointing constitutional court justices, Speaker Woo expressed his hope that the impeachment of Acting President Han, which is being discussed in some quarters, "should not happen." He said on the day, "I strongly request Acting President Han to fulfill his duties and responsibilities according to his role," and added, "I hope the worst-case scenario can be avoided."

Regarding a question about the quorum of National Assembly members required to pass the impeachment of Acting President Han, he replied, "I will consider various opinions before making a judgment." However, he mentioned, "I understand that yesterday, the National Assembly Research Service, an institution of the National Assembly, provided an opinion in response to a member's inquiry." The Research Service had previously stated regarding the quorum for impeachment of the acting president, "There is no academic dispute that if grounds for impeachment arise while performing duties as prime minister before inauguration, the initiation and approval requirements for the prime minister's impeachment apply."

If the acting president is regarded as the person performing the 'presidential office,' impeachment requires the approval of more than 200 out of 300 members of the National Assembly. If regarded as the impeachment of the 'prime minister,' a majority of the total members, i.e., at least 151 votes, is required. The opposition bloc holds 192 seats.