Chairman Woo Won-sik Files Jurisdictional Dispute Petition Against Korean Acting President Over 'Ma Eun-hyeok Appointment Suspension'

"We Will Consider All Possible Measures"

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik has filed a constitutional dispute adjudication with the Constitutional Court, arguing that Acting Prime Minister Han Deok-soo's refusal to appoint Ma Eun-hyuk, the constitutional court justice candidate recommended by the National Assembly, is unconstitutional. He also plans to file a provisional disposition request to establish a temporary status for the candidate Ma, whose appointment has been withheld.

Speaker Woo Won-shik is delivering a statement at the National Assembly on the 27th regarding the delay in the Constitutional Court's ruling on the presidential impeachment trial. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 28th, the Speaker's office stated, "Speaker Woo considers Acting Prime Minister Han's withholding of candidate Ma's appointment a serious disruption of the national order and will submit the constitutional dispute adjudication and provisional disposition request to the Constitutional Court by 8 p.m. on the 28th," adding, "Various procedures to resolve the unconstitutional situation will also be implemented simultaneously."

Previously, Speaker Woo filed a constitutional dispute adjudication against Acting Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok regarding the non-appointment of candidate Ma. At the end of last month, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled with all eight justices that "the non-appointment of candidate Ma is an unconstitutional act infringing on the National Assembly's right to constitute the Constitutional Court." Furthermore, in the ruling dismissing the impeachment motion against Acting Prime Minister Han on the 24th, the court stated that Han's non-appointment of candidate Ma violated the Constitution and laws.

Speaker Woo pointed out, "More than a month has passed since the Constitutional Court's ruling declaring the non-appointment of candidate Ma unconstitutional, and despite Acting Prime Minister Han's return to duty on the 24th, the failure to appoint him is a serious situation where the unconstitutional state is prolonged."

This constitutional dispute adjudication and provisional disposition also include claims that the National Assembly's right to a fair trial by a panel of nine constitutional court justices in cases where it is a party has been violated. Additionally, Speaker Woo will request a succession enforcement document confirming that the effect of the Constitutional Court's decision, which deemed Acting Prime Minister Choi's non-appointment of candidate Ma unconstitutional, automatically transfers to Acting Prime Minister Han. He also plans to send written questions to the Constitutional Court and Acting Prime Minister Han regarding ▲ the effect of the existing ruling and confirmation of the unconstitutional state of candidate Ma's non-appointment ▲ reasons for the delay in the impeachment trial ruling of President Yoon Seok-youl.

Speaker Woo emphasized, "Unless Acting Prime Minister Han resolves the constitutional violation and disruption of the national order himself, the rule of law cannot be discussed. Since the appointment of Justice Ma is a very important prerequisite for restoring the damaged constitutional order, we will consider all possible measures going forward."