Han Deok-su's Attempt to Appoint as Constitutional Court Justice Blocked by Constitutional Court
Opposition Five-Party Roundtable Agrees to Establish Special Investigation Committee on Anti-Constitutional Acts
The ruling party People Power Party is in turmoil over the Constitutional Court's acceptance of the injunction to suspend the effect of the nomination of Han Deok-su, Acting President and Prime Minister, as a Constitutional Court justice. Concerns have grown that if the Democratic Party comes to power, they may file a constitutional party dissolution trial holding former President Yoon Seok-yeol responsible for emergency martial law and other issues.
On the 17th, a senior member of the People Power Party said regarding the crisis facing Han's nomination plan, "I felt something unusual," adding, "It seems the political scene is heading in a strange direction. I consider this a serious democratic crisis."
Regarding speculation in political circles that the People Power Party could be subject to a constitutional party dissolution trial on charges of treason, he said, "The party should not be complacent," and "The public should also see this as a serious crisis." However, he added, "The court has not yet defined it as treason, nor has it designated them as accomplices."
The sense of crisis felt by the People Power Party was also evident in the so-called 'bench clearing' incident on the 14th. When Kim Byung-joo, a Democratic Party lawmaker, shouted at the end of a government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security, "The People Power Party should be dissolved as a treasonous accomplice party. We demand a formal apology," People Power Party lawmakers reacted strongly, nearly leading to a clash. While it is common in plenary sessions to protest with finger-pointing when there are opposing views, on this day, People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-jin shouted, "Treasonous accomplice?" and approached the Democratic Party lawmakers' seats, prompting People Power Party members to restrain him to prevent a clash.
Amid concerns about the possibility of the People Power Party being sued as an unconstitutional party, the Constitutional Court's decision emerged as a new variable. Inside the People Power Party, some argue, "The Constitutional Court did not make a final ruling, so if the next president appoints justices, confusion may arise," and "A final ruling should be made before the presidential election." However, political circles expect that the nomination for the vacancies of Constitutional Court justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-seon will be left to the next president elected on June 3.
Lee Jun-seok, the reformist New Party presidential candidate, said at a meeting with reporters the previous day, "There is talk that if a regime change occurs, the composition of the Constitutional Court could influence the party dissolution trial."
Looking at past cases such as the dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party, party dissolution can be requested by the Minister of Justice after deliberation by the State Council. According to Article 8, Paragraph 4 of the Constitution and the Constitutional Court Act, if six justices agree, the party is immediately dissolved. Political circles analyze that Han's attempt to appoint Constitutional Court justices despite 'overstepping authority' concerns was due to worries about the post-presidential election situation.
Earlier, the five opposition parties agreed at a roundtable meeting to establish a 'Special Investigation Committee on Anti-Constitutional Acts' and are intensifying their offensive by pushing for a special investigation law on treason.
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Gyun-taek said, "The People Power Party views the issue of appointing Constitutional Court justices as unrelated to the constitutional party dissolution trial." However, Park added, "There needs to be a judgment on whether the entire party can be considered unconstitutional," analyzing, "There has already been a constitutional judgment with the impeachment of former President Yoon. If additional investigations reveal related suspicions, it could influence the judgment on unconstitutional parties."
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