Speaker of South Korea's Assembly Pushes for Quick Appointment of 9th Justice at Constitutional Court
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Synopsis
On March 12, South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged acting President Choi Sang-mok to quickly appoint a ninth justice to the Constitutional Court. This call comes as the court prepares to rule on impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law attempt.
Key Takeaways
- Speaker Woo Won-shik calls for swift appointment of ninth justice.
- Constitutional Court deliberating on Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
- Six justices needed to uphold impeachment decision.
- Choi Sang-mok's nonappointment deemed unconstitutional.
- Potential for large public gatherings surrounding ruling.
Seoul, March 12 (NationPress) The Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly, Woo Won-shik, on Wednesday called upon acting President Choi Sang-mok to promptly appoint a ninth justice at the Constitutional Court, as the court is anticipated to soon announce its ruling regarding impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his unsuccessful martial law attempt.
Woo's comments came as the court is engaged in discussions on whether to uphold or reverse Yoon's impeachment connected to his brief martial law declaration. Additionally, Yoon is currently under investigation for alleged insurrection.
A majority of six justices is required to maintain Yoon's impeachment, placing the suspended president's future in the hands of the nine-member court, which is presently operating with only eight justices.
In late December, Choi appointed two justices but postponed the selection of opposition-backed candidate Ma Eun-hyuk, citing the necessity for bipartisan agreement.
"Neglecting to enforce the Constitutional Court's decision undermines the Constitution and diminishes the legislative branch's authority, as well as the Constitutional Court's constitutional standing," Woo stated.
"Choi is establishing a troubling precedent by suggesting that Constitutional Court decisions can be disregarded," he added, insisting that Choi publicly disclose the timeline for Ma's appointment.
In late February, the court determined that Choi's refusal to appoint the candidate was an unconstitutional act that violated the National Assembly's rights, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Earlier on Tuesday, the acting President asserted a stance of "zero tolerance" against any violent actions as the Constitutional Court prepares to issue its ruling regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The court's decision is expected to be announced as early as this week, raising alarms about potential confrontations, as both Yoon's supporters and detractors are likely to assemble in large numbers.
If Yoon, who was elected in May 2022 for a five-year term, is officially ousted, a snap election will be conducted within 60 days. Conversely, if the impeachment is overturned, Yoon will immediately resume his presidential duties.
