Tomorrow's Cabinet Meeting... Opposition's Final Ultimatum on Ma Eun-hyuk
Veto Expected on Commercial Act Amendment, All Eyes on Ma Eun-hyuk
Cabinet Members' Meeting Before Main Session... Gathering Opinions
Prime Minister and Acting President Han Deok-su remains silent on the appointment of Constitutional Court Justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk despite warnings of re-impeachment from the opposition party. The situation is so immovable that he barely discusses the issue even with his close aides. There is a possibility that he will break his silence at this week's Cabinet meeting by exercising the right to request reconsideration (veto) of the Commercial Act amendment and expressing his stance on Ma's appointment, but some predict that Ma will continue with a 'no response strategy' for the time being.
On the morning of the 31st, Acting President Han deliberated on national issues including Ma's appointment without any public schedule, receiving internal reports. A Prime Minister's Office official said, "The Acting President is fully aware of the opposition's final ultimatum," but added, "Unlike other issues, he did not say anything about Ma's appointment." Considering the escalating confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over Ma's appointment, the prolonged silence of Acting President Han is unusual.
The Democratic Party has effectively issued a final ultimatum to Acting President Han, stating that if Ma is not appointed by April 1, they will take a 'serious decision.' They have set April 1, the day of the Cabinet meeting, as the deadline. If the appointment does not occur, they intend to proceed with impeachment against Acting President Han again. Democratic Party's first-term lawmakers have gone further, warning of a series of impeachment motions against Cabinet members including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok. If this plan materializes, government paralysis will be inevitable.
The Cabinet meeting on the 1st is expected to be a turning point. Before the meeting, Acting President Han plans to hold a meeting with Cabinet members to hear opinions on Ma's appointment and the exercise of veto power over the Commercial Act amendment. Most Cabinet members appointed by President Yoon Seok-yeol are negative about Ma's appointment. If Acting President Han solidifies his stance through this process, his position may be revealed directly or indirectly before or after the Cabinet meeting. The Commercial Act amendment, passed by the opposition-led National Assembly plenary session, is likely to face a veto.
Currently, many predict that Acting President Han will not appoint Ma. Appointing Ma would break the previously stated principle of 'prioritizing bipartisan agreement' and would inevitably face backlash from the ruling party and the Presidential Office. However, since he emphasized "stable national governance" upon his return on the 24th and the Constitutional Court has reiterated that 'non-appointment of a Constitutional Court Justice' is unconstitutional, there is also a considerable view that it will be difficult to hold out indefinitely.
A government official said, "Since the opposition has warned of a series of impeachment motions against Cabinet members, there may be a request regarding this tomorrow, but because a single word from the Acting President could shake national affairs, mentioning the Ma appointment issue may be handled cautiously." It is also known that Acting President Han is not considering meeting with Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, who requested a meeting. Instead, Acting President Han plans to focus on reforming the wildfire suppression system and responding to this week's U.S. 'Dirty 15' tariff imposition announcement.
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