“Appoint Judges and Request Special Prosecutors Immediately”
Next Week, Possibility of Re-Resolution on ‘Twin Special Prosecutor Act’
Park Chan-dae (center), the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd.
[The Herald Business=Park Ja-yeon, Yang Geun-hyeok] The Democratic Party of Korea continues its offensive against the ruling party regarding Acting President Choi Sang-mok and Deputy Prime Minister’s refusal to appoint some of the Constitutional Court judges recommended by the National Assembly and the decision to exercise veto power on the ‘Twin Special Prosecutor Act’ (Special Prosecutor Act on Rebellion, Special Prosecutor Act on Mrs. Kim Geon-hee). While the Democratic Party is refraining from directly mentioning ‘impeachment,’ they are urging Acting President Choi to appoint Moon Hyuk, recommended by the party for the Constitutional Court judge, and to accept the special prosecutor.
On the 2nd, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly, “Refusing the appointment of selectively chosen three Constitutional Court judges elected by the National Assembly is a clear violation of the separation of powers and an unconstitutional act.” He urged, “Since the Speaker of the National Assembly confirmed that there was an agreement for the recommendations of the three judges, appoint Moon Hyuk immediately today.”
Park also called out Acting President Choi, saying, “Delaying the request for special prosecutor recommendations, which should be done without delay in accordance with the law, is clearly an illegal act and a reason for prosecution and impeachment due to dereliction of duty.” He also urged for the appointment of the permanent special prosecutor for the rebellion.
The Democratic Party is likely to pursue the re-resolution of the Twin Special Prosecutor Act at next week’s plenary session. Kang Yu-jung, the spokesperson for the Democratic Party’s floor, appeared on KBS Radio’s ‘Explosive Current Affairs’ and said, “The re-resolution of the Twin Special Prosecutor Act could happen during this special session of the National Assembly.” Initially, the National Assembly considered holding plenary sessions on the 2nd and 3rd. However, they decided not to hold a session this week considering the national mourning period for the Jeju Air passenger plane crash at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do until the 4th.
The re-resolution of the Twin Special Prosecutor Act requires the agreement of more than two-thirds of the total enrolled members. Regarding this, Kang expressed hope, saying, “Outside the 192 votes from the opposition parties, we need 8 supporting votes from the People’s Power Party members. We expect to have those 8 votes, but if it fails, we will re-propose and proceed meticulously to pass it.”
With the number of Constitutional Court judges increased to eight, it is expected that the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol will accelerate. However, the Democratic Party is continuing to harshly criticize Acting President Choi for appointing only some of the recommended Constitutional Court judges. On December 31, Acting President Choi appointed only two of the three judges recommended by the National Assembly (Jung Gye-sun and Cho Han-chang) and suggested that “the ruling and opposition parties need to negotiate again for the appointment.” The Democratic Party has strongly criticized this decision, claiming it was an “exercise of excessive power even not done by the President” and a “unconstitutional measure.”
However, the Democratic Party is refraining from directly mentioning the push for Acting President Choi’s impeachment. While raising the possibility by mentioning ‘impeachment reasons,’ they have been more reserved compared to when Prime Minister Han Deok-soo served as Acting President. Yoon Jong-gun, the Democratic Party’s spokesperson, told reporters on December 31 right after the general assembly that “It is clearly an impeachment reason and can be done, but we are restraining ourselves for now, handling related issues at the leadership level for now.” It is known that many voices during the general assembly called for impeachment, but considering the national mourning ongoing due to the plane crash, they made such a decision.
A Democratic Party leader stated, “We believe we should request for a jurisdictional dispute judgment regarding the selective appointment of judges, expecting that it will be actively reviewed by the Speaker’s office and will be done soon.” Previously, when Acting President Choi announced the appointment of only two Constitutional Court judges, Speaker Woo Won-shik issued a statement, expressing “serious regret for Choi Sang-mok, Acting President’s judgment,” and hinted at the possibility of requesting a judgment on the jurisdictional dispute.