Tomorrow’s Cabinet Meeting… Opposition’s ‘Maeun-Hyuk’ Final Ultimatum
Prospects of Vetoing the Commercial Act Amendment, Attention on Maeun-Hyuk
Cabinet Members’ Meeting Before Cabinet Meeting… Gathering Opinions, “Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is remaining silent on whether to appoint Constitutional Court Justice nominee Maeun-Hyuk despite warnings from the opposition of another impeachment. He hardly discusses this issue with his aides, indicating a firm stance. There is a possibility that he may break his silence at this week’s Cabinet meeting, possibly stating a position on the nominee’s appointment while exercising the veto power on the Commercial Act amendment, but there are also predictions that the nominee will continue a ‘non-response strategy’ for now.”,
Han will receive internal reports without any public schedule on the morning of the 31st and contemplate state affairs, including Maeun-Hyuk’s appointment. A Prime Minister’s Office official commented that Han is aware of the opposition’s ultimatum but has not spoken about the nominee’s appointment. With political tensions flaring between the ruling and opposition sides over the appointment, Han’s prolonged silence appears significant.
The Democratic Party has essentially issued a final ultimatum to Han, signaling that it will make a “serious decision” if Maeun-Hyuk is not appointed by April 1st, which they have set as the deadline, coinciding with a scheduled Cabinet meeting. In the event of non-appointment, they indicate the possibility of seeking Han’s impeachment again. First-term Democratic Party lawmakers have suggested extending impeachment moves to all Cabinet members, including Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. Realization of these intentions could lead to governmental paralysis.
The Cabinet meeting scheduled for the 1st is expected to be a turning point. Before the meeting, Han will gather opinions on Maeun-Hyuk’s appointment and the vetoing of the Commercial Act amendment at a Cabinet members’ meeting. Most Cabinet members appointed by President Yoon Suk-yeol are reportedly against Maeun-Hyuk’s appointment. If Han consolidates his position through such consultations, he might express it directly or indirectly around the meeting. The veto of the Commercial Act amendment, which passed the National Assembly led by the opposition, is anticipated to be likely.
Currently, it is widely speculated that Han will not appoint Maeun-Hyuk. Appointing him would violate the previously declared priority on bipartisan agreements, and it’s hard to ignore potential backlash from the ruling party and the presidential office. Meanwhile, given the Constitutional Court’s reiteration that ‘non-appointment of a Constitutional Court Justice’ is unconstitutional and Han’s emphasis on “stable governance” upon returning on the 24th, an indefinite delay is also seen as difficult.
A government official noted that with the opposition forecasting a wave of Cabinet member impeachments, there might be appeals regarding this matter tomorrow, but they mentioned speaking cautiously on the Maeun-Hyuk issue as Han’s single word could shake the administration. Han reportedly is not considering a meeting with Democratic Party’s floor leader, Park Chan-dae, who requested a meeting. Instead, Han plans to focus on reforming the wildfire response system and responding to the upcoming U.S. ‘Dirty15’ tariff announcement this week.