Han Deok-su, "Considering" Appointment of Constitutional Court Justice from National Assembly Quota

Phone Call with Democratic Party Lawmaker Park Jumin... "No Conclusion Reached"
National Assembly to Vote on Constitutional Court Justice Nominee on the Afternoon of the 26th

Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo is reportedly "still unable to reach a conclusion and is contemplating" whether to appoint the three Constitutional Court justices recommended by the National Assembly.

Park Joo-min, a member of the Special Committee on the Confirmation Hearings for Constitutional Court Justices from the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a press conference on the 26th, "I called Acting President Han last night (the 25th) out of frustration," adding, "During the call, he said he is still considering the matter." Park stated, "So I asked Acting President Han to find a solution that complies with the Constitution and the law," and added, "Since the president only needs to formally appoint the candidates elected by the National Assembly, the appointment by the Acting President is in accordance with the Constitution and the law."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the National Intellectual Property Committee meeting held on the 12th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, adjusting his glasses. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

On the same day, the National Assembly will hold a vote in the plenary session on the election of candidates Ma Eun-hyuk, Jung Kye-seon, and Cho Han-chang as Constitutional Court justices. Previously, the National Assembly held the 'Special Committee on the Confirmation Hearings for the Election of Constitutional Court Justices (Confirmation Special Committee)' over two days on the 23rd and 24th. The People Power Party and the Democratic Party had been in dispute over the composition of the three candidates, but last month agreed on two candidates recommended by the Democratic Party (Ma Eun-hyuk and Jung Kye-seon) and one candidate recommended by the People Power Party (Cho Han-chang). However, due to a change in the People Power Party's stance, ruling party members never attended the Confirmation Special Committee. The Constitutional Court is composed of nine justices, with three each recommended by the president, the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Park emphasized, "Even Cho, the candidate recommended by the People Power Party, says there is no problem with Acting President Han appointing the Constitutional Court justice," and added, "Using the Constitution and the law as an excuse to act in a way that does not comply with them is rather illegal." She further urged, "I earnestly call for the swift progress of the appointment procedure for the Constitutional Court justices so that all upcoming cases can proceed promptly." The Constitutional Court will officially begin procedures related to the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol on the following day, the 27th.