Acting President of South Korea: "Constitutional Court Justice Appointments on Hold Until Ruling Party and Opposition Submit Agreement"

Opposition Demands Rejected... "Priority on Bipartisan Agreement"
"Personal Position or Glory Is Not Important"

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering a national address at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News

Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, stated on the 26th, "I will withhold the appointment of Constitutional Court justices until the ruling and opposition parties submit an agreed proposal," adding, "Once an agreement is submitted, I will immediately appoint the Constitutional Court justices."

Acting President Han said in an urgent public address at the Government Seoul Office that afternoon, "The consistent spirit embedded in our Constitution and laws is that the Acting President should refrain from exercising the President's significant exclusive powers, including appointments to constitutional institutions."

He explained, "If it becomes unavoidable to exercise such powers, it is a precedent in our constitutional history?never broken even once?that the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement in the National Assembly, the representatives of the people, beforehand. Former Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn also followed the principle of not making appointments that would influence the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling, refraining from appointing justices before the court's decision and making appointments only after the decision was issued."

Acting President Han emphasized, "The reason why the process of agreement between the ruling and opposition parties is essential before exercising the President's significant exclusive powers is that, although legal interpretations diverge and division and conflict are severe, there is no time to wait for judicial decisions. The agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, who represent the people, is the last barrier that can secure democratic legitimacy and lead to national unity."

He continued, "Some say, 'The people are angry, so just make the appointments; what's the problem?' However, regrettably, this issue cannot be resolved so easily, which is my concern," adding, "Especially now, when a fair trial that will determine the nation's fate and history depends on the Constitutional Court justices."

Acting President Han also stated, "As Acting President and Prime Minister, I sincerely believe that I look solely to the people and make judgments for the nation's future according to the Constitution and laws; personal position or glory is of no importance."

Referring to political figures from both sides, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, People Power Party Emergency Committee Chair nominee Kwon Young-se, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, he urged, "As Acting President and Prime Minister, I earnestly ask you to show wisdom and courage that surpass the previous generation of politicians for the sake of future generations of Koreans."