Yoon Impeachment Trial Variable 'Ma Eun-hyeok'... Ruling Party and Opposition on Edge Over Acting President Choi's Choice

Ma Eun-hyuk's Appointment Emerges as a Key Variable Ahead of Yoon's Impeachment Trial Conclusion
Choi May Swiftly Appoint Ma Following Constitutional Court Decision
National Assembly Interpellation Session Today... Fierce Ruling and Opposition Party Clashes Expected

Yonhap News

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, is emerging as a key variable in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol regarding the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk, a nominee for Constitutional Court Justice. Although Acting President Choi has not yet expressed a clear stance, there is a sense that he may appoint nominee Ma depending on the Constitutional Court's ruling on the dispute over authority. As the decision by Acting President Choi approaches, pressure from both ruling and opposition parties is intensifying.

According to the government on the 13th, Acting President Choi is continuing to deliberate over whether to appoint nominee Ma. A government official from Acting President Choi’s side said, "It is difficult to make a premature statement since the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the dispute over authority has not yet been issued," but added, "The basic position is to respect the Constitutional Court’s decision." The Constitutional Court has completed the oral arguments regarding the non-appointment of nominee Ma and will soon hold a judges’ council to set the date for the verdict.

If the Constitutional Court rules that not appointing nominee Ma is unconstitutional, it is analyzed that Acting President Choi will swiftly proceed with the appointment. As the head of the executive branch, he would inevitably feel a heavy burden in not complying with the decision of the highest constitutional institution. In particular, Acting President Choi is known for valuing law and procedure due to his long public service career. Of course, there is also the possibility that Acting President Choi may delay accepting the ruling immediately, citing the need for bipartisan agreement and internal review.

Interest in whether nominee Ma will be appointed is focused because it could influence President Yoon’s impeachment trial. Considering the tight schedule with the oral arguments for President Yoon’s impeachment trial concluding on the same day, the Constitutional Court is likely to deliver the verdict with its current eight-member panel, but it could also include nominee Ma and deliver the verdict with a full bench. In that case, the procedure for renewing oral arguments may be followed, which could delay the verdict schedule or affect the final conclusion.

During the afternoon’s National Assembly interpellation session, fierce disputes related to nominee Ma’s appointment are also expected. Although the interpellation session is limited to economic issues, if Acting President Choi attends, both ruling and opposition parties plan to intensely question him about the appointment issue. The People Power Party holds the position that Acting President Choi does not have the authority to appoint nominee Ma, while the Democratic Party of Korea is pressuring for the appointment, even hinting at impeachment.