[Inside Chodong] Extreme Confrontation Between Ruling and Opposition Parties... Constitutional Court Must Bring Closure

Unimaginable Scenarios Unfold
A Swift Resolution by the Constitutional Court Is Urgently Needed

"Scenarios we never imagined are being reported in the media."

A senior official from the Office for Government Policy Coordination spoke in a self-deprecating tone regarding the extreme confrontations recently occurring in the political sphere. As the Democratic Party pressured that if Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo does not appoint Ma Eun-hyuk, a nominee for Constitutional Court Justice, by the 1st, they would make a serious decision, the ruling party expressed discomfort over the situation where there are calls to amend the Cabinet meeting quorum requirement to ‘at least two members’ in response to a re-impeachment, and to consider nominating successors for Constitutional Court Justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-sun, whose terms are about to expire. The official trailed off, saying, "Surely it won't come to that." This moment reflects a desperate feeling that the worst-case scenario?where a second impeachment becomes a reality and the country effectively falls into a state of anarchy?must be avoided.

Acting Prime Minister Han is also deeply concerned. Since returning to duty on the 24th of last month, Han, who holds the key authority, has remained silent about the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk as Constitutional Court Justice until the 31st. It is said that he has not expressed any opinions on this matter even to those around him.

The Prime Minister’s Office conveyed to Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung’s request for a meeting that they would prioritize responding to current issues such as the trade war and support for wildfire victims. "The Acting Prime Minister places the highest priority on responding to the imminent imposition of tariffs in the trade war and directing support measures for disaster victims, many of whom are elderly," and "Regarding meeting requests from opposition party officials, we will consider them after prioritizing these urgent national economic and livelihood issues," effectively signaling a refusal.

Handuksoo Acting President Yonhap News

As the Constitutional Court continues to delay its ruling on President Yoon Seok-youl’s impeachment trial, the political world is in utter chaos. Various rumors and speculations abound surrounding the delay and its background. Both ruling and opposition parties are engaged in strategic maneuvers to create a trial environment favorable to themselves.

There is growing public anxiety as the worst-case scenario is even being mentioned?that the Constitutional Court’s decision may not come before the retirement of Justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-sun on the 18th. If the court shrinks to six justices, the impeachment trial could be indefinitely prolonged until successors are appointed, meaning the current turmoil is bound to snowball further.

Many are worried about the seemingly irrational political situation. To prevent further social chaos, the Constitutional Court must now bring this to a close. Some even suspect that the court is unable to deliver a verdict because it has not secured the quorum of six justices required for impeachment. There are even observations that some justices may be deliberately delaying the process.

The Constitutional Court is an institution established to uphold the Constitution and guarantee the fundamental rights of the people. The current situation makes a mockery of its stated purpose on its website: "To gain the trust of the people through prompt and fair trials, harmoniously resolve various interests and conflicts, and contribute to social integration."

Justices should make fair judgments based on legal principles and conscience. If they waver with political intentions, they will only fuel conflict and chaos rather than social integration. A prompt ruling by the Constitutional Court is the top priority to mend a divided society and reconcile conflicts. It is both a necessity and an obligation to complete the ruling by the 18th, when the two justices conclude their terms, to reduce social turmoil.