Kang Gijeong and Kim Youngrok Criticize Han Acting President for Rejecting Constitutional Court Justice Appointment

Mayor Kang: "Korea Is Committing a Great Sin Before History"
Governor Kim: "Sending It Back to the National Assembly Is an Overreach"

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

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong and South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Youngrok strongly criticized Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on the 26th for refusing to appoint three Constitutional Court justices.

On Facebook that day, Mayor Kang wrote, "Prime Minister Han Ducksoo is trying to delay the impeachment trial. He is making nothing but excuses."

He further criticized, "He should stop blaming the lack of bipartisan agreement and follow the will of the National Assembly," adding, "(Prime Minister Han) is committing a grave sin before history."

Governor Kim Youngrok also pointed out during a New Year's and year-end press conference at the provincial government office, "It is an abuse of authority to send back decisions passed by the National Assembly, demanding further compromise between the parties."

Governor Kim stated, "It is legally unconstitutional, and the acting president does not have the authority to question whether the contents passed by the National Assembly were agreed upon by both parties," and insisted, "Given the current turmoil in international affairs, we must proceed quickly with the impeachment trial and promptly appoint a new president."

He continued, "To this end, Acting President Han must immediately appoint the three Constitutional Court justices, and the Constitutional Court should make a decision to dismiss President Yoon. It is time for us to unite our efforts so that the state of emergency can be quickly resolved and stabilized, a new government can be established, and crisis management can proceed stably in accordance with constitutional order."

Meanwhile, Acting President Han Ducksoo announced in an emergency national address that he would "withhold the appointment of Constitutional Court justices until the parties reach an agreement and submit a proposal," while the Democratic Party of Korea submitted an impeachment motion against him.