Yeo "Constitutional Court, Setting Direction and Speed?…Must Be Cautious on Ma Eun-hyeok Appointment's Constitutionality"

"Impeachment Trial of Han Duck-soo Should Come First for His Reinstatement"

The People Power Party urged the Constitutional Court to take a cautious approach ahead of its decision on whether to appoint Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court justice.

Joo Jin-woo, People Power Party member. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 28th, Joo Jin-woo, legal advisory committee chairman of the People Power Party, claimed on Facebook that "concerns about the bias of the Constitutional Court justices have exceeded the limit." The Constitutional Court will review on the 3rd of next month whether the decision by Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, not to appoint Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court justice was unconstitutional.

Representative Joo said, "The Constitutional Court will make a decision on the 3rd of next month to appoint candidate Ma Eun-hyuk," adding, "They will hold just one trial and decide within a month. This is an unprecedentedly rapid decision in constitutional history. It can be read as meaning the answer has already been decided." He further stated, "If Ma Eun-hyuk is also appointed, there will be four justices from the Uri Law and Human Rights Research Association, which only a very small number of court members belong to: Moon Hyung-bae, Lee Mi-seon, Jung Kye-sun, and Ma Eun-hyuk," and claimed, "There has never been a time when four justices from a research association with a specific inclination were on the Constitutional Court."

Park Soo-min, the floor spokesperson, also expressed concerns in a statement, saying, "We cannot help but worry whether the Constitutional Court is setting a direction and accelerating the process," and argued, "Shouldn't the impeachment trial of Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo be held first to reinstate him and relieve the burden on Acting Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok?"

Spokesperson Park pointed out, "Public concerns are growing about the concentration of justices from a specific research association in the Constitutional Court," and criticized, "Candidate Ma Eun-hyuk could further exacerbate these concerns." She added, "If the appointment of the remaining Constitutional Court justice candidates is urgent, the Constitutional Court should clearly explain the reasons." She concluded by saying, "Please ensure that the appointment of Constitutional Court justices does not cause further division among public opinion and the people," and urged "a cautious and thoughtful approach by the Constitutional Court."