People Power Party’s Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong Criticizes Constitutional Court Term Extension Bill
On the 30th, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party’s attempt to push a bill extending the term of Constitutional Court justices Moon Hyeong-bae and Lee Mi-seon, as well as enforcing the commencement of candidate Ma Eun-hyeok’s term, as an “attempt by the Lee Jae-myung faction to disrupt the constitutional order.”
Kwon expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “Article 111 of the Constitution stipulates that constitutional court justices are appointed by the president. The idea of forcibly starting Ma Eun-hyeok’s term without presidential appointment is unconstitutional. Additionally, Article 112 mandates a six-year term for justices, and creating new terms arbitrarily through legislation is a direct challenge to the Constitution.”
He went on to say, “If the National Assembly can arbitrarily commence and extend the terms of constitutional bodies through simple legislative changes, it could also adjust the appointments and terms of other constitutional organs as per the ruling party’s preferences, leading to a coup-like declaration akin to Lee Jae-myung’s monarchy.”
Kwon labeled the “Arbitrary Extension Law for Constitutional Offices” as a plot coalescing with the “Total Impeachment Plan for Cabinet Members,” demonstrating that the Democratic Party’s conspiracy against the state is being put into action, aiming to paralyze the government and constrain the Constitutional Court’s authority, which he termed as “obvious treason.”
He further urged the government to respond firmly to these unconstitutional and illegal attempts by the Democratic Party, recommending the swift formulation of constitutional defense plans, such as revising cabinet meeting regulations, to counter the governance threats posed by the Lee Jae-myung faction. He also called for the judicial authorities to initiate investigations into attempts to overthrow the constitutional order.
The Democratic Party is reportedly pushing a Constitutional Court Act amendment that would automatically extend the term of incumbent justices if successors are not appointed, anticipating a scenario where a decision on President Yoon’s impeachment might not be reached before the terms of acting Constitutional Court Chief Moon Hyeong-bae and Justice Lee Mi-seon end on the 18th of next month.