Appointment of Constitutional Court Justice as a Gauge for 'Han Deok-su Impeachment'... Opposition Urges "Do Not Delay Even for 1 Minute or 1 Second"

Park Chandae "Not appointing judges is unconstitutional"
Concerns over government vacuum and Constitutional Court operating with six members

The Democratic Party, which had been aggressively pressuring Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, has taken a step back. It is expected that after reviewing Han's appointment of constitutional court justices today, the party will decide whether to resume pressure, including impeachment proceedings.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 26th, Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at the party's policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, "As the resolution of the December 3rd insurrection is delayed, serious diplomatic and economic issues are drifting, and the entire Republic of Korea is paralyzed," adding, "The prompt appointment of constitutional court justices to complete the Constitutional Court from six to nine members is the beginning of normalizing the Republic of Korea." He continued, "Han's failure to appoint constitutional court justices is a clear unconstitutional act and a serious anti-state act indicating an unwillingness to promptly end the December 3rd insurrection," urging, "Han must not delay even for a minute or a second and appoint the justices immediately upon transmitting the appointment consent bill to the government."

The Democratic Party plans to submit the appointment consent bills for constitutional court justice candidates Ma Eun-hyuk, Jung Gye-seon, and Jo Han-chang for a vote at the plenary session of the National Assembly held that day. The appointment consent bill passes if a majority of the total members are present and a majority of those present vote in favor. Once the bill passes, Han can appoint the constitutional court justices immediately. The National Assembly's special personnel hearing committee held confirmation hearings solely by the opposition party on the 23rd and 24th and adopted the hearing report. The People Power Party did not attend the hearings, arguing that Han does not have the authority to appoint the constitutional court justices recommended by the National Assembly.

The Democratic Party strongly pressured Han this week by mentioning impeachment. On the 24th, the party filed an impeachment motion against Han on the same day, reported it to the plenary session on the 26th, and announced plans for a vote and processing on the 27th. This effectively recognized Han as a co-conspirator in the insurrection alongside President Yoon Seok-youl. Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party chief spokesperson, told reporters after a party meeting on the 24th, "There were voices within the party expecting Han to act as a stable manager through the series of processes, but those expectations were completely shattered. There was not even a slight opinion to leave room for impeachment."

However, it appears the party strategically retreated due to concerns about the backlash from a potential government vacuum if Han were impeached. If Han's impeachment motion passes, Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, would assume the role of acting authority, creating an unprecedented situation. Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung said on MBC Radio's Kim Jong-bae's Focus, "Most lawmakers believed that Han should be impeached along with President Yoon during his impeachment. But from the perspective of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, there seemed to be a strong desire to stabilize the government quickly," adding, "If Han continues actions that do not end the crime of insurrection, even Leader Lee will find it difficult to hold out."

The potential fallout from failing to form a nine-member Constitutional Court is also a burdensome factor. The Democratic Party emphasizes that a nine-member Constitutional Court is necessary to legitimize the impeachment trial results against President Yoon. On the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won said on CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung's News Show, "We must promptly appoint constitutional court justices to form a nine-member Constitutional Court so that the impeachment of President Yoon can be reviewed," calling it "the greatest national, global, and timely demand."