Prolonged Choi Silence... Woo Won-sik Demands Ma Eun-hyuk's Response, but "No Plans"

Opposition Launches Full-Scale Offensive Over Ma Eun-hyuk and Myung Tae-gyun Special Prosecutor Act
Woo Won-sik Demands "Public Response," but Choi Remains Silent
Special Prosecutor Act Still Pending... Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting Expected Tomorrow

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik demanded that Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok explain the reason for not appointing Constitutional Court nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, but Choi's side stated that there are "no plans to respond." As the Democratic Party of Korea is strongly pressuring the appointment of nominee Ma and the promulgation of the Special Prosecutor Act for Myung Tae-gyun, the political situation is expected to further freeze as Choi's silence continues.

On the 13th, a government official from Choi's side explained that regarding Speaker Woo's press conference held the previous day, where he demanded, "When will the Constitutional Court nominee elected by the National Assembly be appointed? If not appointed immediately, publicly explain the reason for continuing the unconstitutional situation and the infringement of the National Assembly's authority," there are "no plans (to respond) yet."

Earlier, the Constitutional Court ruled on the 27th of last month that "Choi's withholding of nominee Ma's appointment is illegal," but Choi has not expressed a clear position for two weeks, stating that deliberation is necessary. Another government official explained, "Since the Constitutional Court's decision does not specify a 'deadline' by which nominee Ma must be appointed, time for deliberation is needed," adding, "There is also concern that appointing nominee Ma immediately amid a divided public opinion could cause greater confusion."

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is holding a meeting on external economic issues at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Democratic Party has increased pressure on Acting President Choi following President Yoon Seok-yeol's release. Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, criticized at the highest council meeting the previous day, saying, "The main culprit inciting challenges to public authority is Acting President Choi," and urged, "Before telling the people what to do, he should first abide by the Constitution and laws himself." Earlier, Kim Min-seok, a Democratic Party supreme council member, also stated, "This week is the final deadline for the appointment of nominee Ma and the promulgation of the Special Prosecutor Act for Myung Tae-gyun."

Acting President Choi is still deliberating whether to promulgate the Special Prosecutor Act for Myung Tae-gyun, which was passed by the opposition-led National Assembly plenary session. Initially, the government planned to decide after the ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment trial, but it is currently difficult to predict the timing of the ruling. Since the deadline for exercising the right to request reconsideration (veto) of the Special Prosecutor Act for Myung Tae-gyun is the 15th, it is highly likely that an extraordinary Cabinet meeting will be held before then to exercise the veto.