Choi Sang-mok "Very Regrettable to Operate National Council Excluding Government"

'Myung Tae-gyun Special Prosecutor Act' Not Submitted... Further Deliberation
Ma Eun-hyeok Appointment Still Pending... Awaiting Han Duck-soo Ruling
Ahead of Yoon Seok-yeol's Impeachment Verdict, "Violent Protests Will Be Strictly Punished"

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is speaking at the Livelihood Economy Inspection Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, emphasized on the 11th the urgent need for the prompt formulation of an additional supplementary budget (supplementary budget), expressing regret over the ruling and opposition parties continuing the national policy council excluding the government.

The appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok, a nominee for Constitutional Court Justice, demanded by opposition parties including the Democratic Party, and the promulgation of the 'Myeong Tae-gyun Special Prosecutor Act' were not decided at the Cabinet meeting that day and will be further deliberated.

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, Acting President Choi said, "I feel very sorry and regretful about the operation of the national policy council excluding the government."

Acting President Choi emphasized, "The government is making every effort at the government level to revive the people's livelihood economy, but an extraordinary breakthrough such as additional fiscal input is urgently needed," adding, "There is also a consensus on this among the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly and the government."

He continued, "At the very least, regarding 'people's livelihood issues,' the National Assembly and the government must promptly respond to the public's demand to put their heads together and find solutions," and said, "The government will soon hold a People's Livelihood Economy Inspection Meeting to present immediate necessary measures such as cost reduction and sales expansion plans to alleviate the difficulties faced by small business owners and self-employed individuals."

Acting President Choi's remarks that day were interpreted as targeting the Democratic Party, which is refusing discussions with the government. The Democratic Party has not appointed nominee Ma despite the Constitutional Court's decision and is only attending the ruling and opposition parties' national policy council meetings from which Acting President Choi is excluded, stating that they "cannot recognize Acting President Choi as a dialogue partner."

Kim Min-seok, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting the day before, "This week is the final deadline for the appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok as Constitutional Court Justice and the promulgation of the Myeong Tae-gyun Special Prosecutor Act."

However, Acting President Choi did not submit either the promulgation bill or the request for reconsideration related to the Myeong Tae-gyun Special Prosecutor Act at the Cabinet meeting that day. Since the deadline for exercising the veto power (right to reject) on the Myeong Tae-gyun Special Prosecutor Act is the 15th, it is expected that an extraordinary Cabinet meeting will be held within this week to submit the bill.

As there is much analysis that the Constitutional Court's ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment trial is imminent, it is expected that the decision will be made after waiting as long as possible. If the ruling on Prime Minister Han is not issued by the deadline, there is speculation that Acting President Choi will exercise the veto power citing the failure of consensus between the ruling and opposition parties.

Regarding the increasing possibility of physical clashes ahead of President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial ruling, Acting President Choi announced a strict response policy that day.

Acting President Choi said, "Freely expressing one's opinions is the most fundamental right, but freedom necessarily comes with responsibility," adding, "Any illegal and violent assemblies or demonstrations or acts challenging public authority will be strictly punished according to law and principles without any tolerance."