[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Kwon Chang-hwi: Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd. 2025.01.02. kch0523@newsis.com
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporters Kim Ji-eun and Kim Kyung-rok: On the 2nd, the Democratic Party urged acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Choi Sang-mok, to immediately appoint Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court justice candidate recommended by the party. However, they reiterated their stance to refrain from pursuing impeachment.
Noh Jong-myun, the Democratic Party’s spokesperson, after attending a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, said to reporters regarding the possibility of impeachment of Acting President Choi, “While he cannot avoid criticism for selectively appointing 2 out of the 3 Constitutional Court justices, an act deemed unlawful and unconstitutional, we remain committed to refraining from moving into impeachment.”
Previously, Acting President Choi appointed only two candidates, Jung Gye-seon (recommended by the Democratic Party) and Cho Han-chang (recommended by the People Power Party), out of the three justices elected by the National Assembly. He deferred Ma’s appointment pending bipartisan agreement.
The Democratic Party is opposing “any basis in the constitution or laws for selectively appointing Constitutional Court justices recommended by the National Assembly,” yet they are keeping their distance from impeachment, possibly due to the growing demand for stability in state affairs following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. Impeachment of Acting President Choi could lead to a backlash.
Park Sung-jun, Deputy Floor Leader, stated in a radio interview on “Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show” that “(considering impeachment of Acting President Choi) needs to be reconsidered,” and added, “Given the difficult economic situation, passenger plane disaster, and President Yoon’s indulgence of far-right forces, national stability is essential, leaving the Democratic Party no choice but to deliberate.” He further emphasized, “A lot of patience is needed at this point.”
In the party leadership meeting, there were calls to proceed with the additional appointment of Constitutional Court justices, accept the special prosecutor laws (related to sedition and First Lady Kim Keon-hee), and commence the appointment procedure for a permanent special prosecutor on sedition.
Floor leader Park Chan-dae stated at the policy coordination meeting that “refusing to appoint any of the three Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly is a clear violation of the separation of powers and unconstitutional conduct,” warning, “Delaying the request for special prosecutor recommendations as required by law is a clear illegal act and constitutes grounds for impeachment due to dereliction of duty.”
Policy Committee Chair Jin Sung-jun criticized Acting President Choi saying, “It is inappropriate to treat the sedition and Kim Keon-hee investigations as mere political strife,” emphasizing that “failure to implement for three weeks is a serious violation of the law.” He added, “The permanent special prosecutor law stipulates that special prosecutor recommendations must be requested without delay,” urging, “Immediately commence the procedure for appointing the (sedition) permanent special prosecutor.”