Korea Refuses Constitutional Court Justice Appointment in National Address
"President Should Refrain from Exercising Exclusive Authority... Prioritize Ruling and Opposition Agreement"
Democratic Party Proposes Impeachment of Korea... Plenary Vote on 27th
Han Deok-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 reach an agreement and submit a proposal." The Democratic Party of Korea plans to hold a plenary session of the National Assembly on the 27th to pass an impeachment motion against Acting President Han, as he has refused to appoint Constitutional Court justices.
In a public address at the Government Seoul Office Building that afternoon, Acting President Han expressed his refusal to appoint Constitutional Court justices, saying, "The consistent spirit embedded in our Constitution and laws is that the Acting President should refrain from exercising the President's significant inherent powers, including appointments to constitutional institutions."
Han 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 first reach an agreement in the National Assembly, the representatives of the people. Similarly, former Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn did not make appointments that could influence the Constitutional Court's impeachment rulings before the court's decision and only made appointments afterward."
He emphasized, "The reason why the process of agreement between the ruling and opposition parties is essential before exercising the President's significant inherent powers is that, although legal interpretations diverge and divisions and conflicts are severe, when there is no time to wait for judicial judgment, the agreement of the ruling and opposition parties, as representatives of 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 why not just make the appointment? What’s the problem?' However, unfortunately, 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."
Han mentioned politicians from both sides, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman nominee Kwon Young-se, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, urging, "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."
On the 26th, members of the Democratic Party including Floor Leader Park Chan-dae are having a conversation in the National Assembly plenary session hall. Photo by Yonhap News
Although Acting President Han said, "I will appoint Constitutional Court justices immediately upon submission of an agreed proposal," given the stark confrontation between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties is hardly expected.
Since Han has expressed his refusal to appoint Constitutional Court justices, the Democratic Party plans to promptly push for his impeachment.
Park Sung-joon, Democratic Party Deputy Floor Leader, told reporters after a party meeting, "We have already filed an impeachment motion against Acting President Han before the plenary session of the National Assembly. After reporting it at today's plenary session, we plan to pass the impeachment motion against Han Deok-soo at tomorrow's plenary session."
Floor Leader Park Chan-dae criticized Han, saying, "It was a statement acknowledging that he is not an Acting President but an Acting Traitor. He exercised the most active power?the veto (reconsideration request)?and then made the absurd argument of refusing to appoint Constitutional Court justices, which is the most formal exercise of power."
However, Han seemed to consider the Democratic Party's impeachment push, stating in his address, "As Acting President and Prime Minister, I sincerely believe that I must look only to the people and make judgments for the nation's future according to the Constitution and laws, and that my personal position or glory is of no importance."
Han said, "As Acting President and Prime Minister, I consider my final duty to be dedicating all efforts to stable governance so that there is not a moment's disruption to the nation's security and the people's daily lives while we overcome this difficulty," adding, "To that end, I will look only to the people and make all decisions based on the Constitution and laws for the future of the entire country."
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