‘Maeunhyeok Non-Appointment’ Authority Dispute Decision Postponed…Ruling Party “Flaw” vs Opposition “Cautious”

Ruling and Opposition Parties Continue Disputes
Interpretations Remain Divided

The Constitutional Court's decision to postpone the ruling on the unconstitutionality of the non-appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok, a nominee for Constitutional Court Justice, by Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok has revealed clear differences in interpretation between the ruling and opposition parties. The People Power Party claimed that "the Constitutional Court itself admitted to a 'procedural flaw,'" while the Democratic Party countered that it was "the Constitutional Court's effort to avoid creating procedural flaws amid the People Power Party's attempts to shake the court."

On the 3rd, as supporters of President Yoon held a rally in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, after the Constitutional Court announced the postponement of the ruling on the constitutional complaint and dispute case related to the appointment suspension of Ma Eun-hyeok, a nominee for Constitutional Court Justice by Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, security was strengthened. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

On the 3rd, Shin Dong-wook, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement urging, "We earnestly request the Constitutional Court to make a 'responsible and decisive judgment' so that all citizens can fully accept all rulings and behaviors of the court without any objection."

Shin also argued, "Initially, the Constitutional Court intended to conclude the jurisdictional dispute trial with only one rushed hearing lasting about an hour and a half. That in itself is very regrettable."

The People Power Party has opposed Ma's appointment, highlighting issues such as Ma's political bias and procedural flaws during the appointment process.

On the other hand, Yoon Jong-gun, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, took a firm stance during an afternoon briefing, stating, "The People Power Party and Acting President Choi should stop obstructing Ma's appointment."

Yoon criticized, "The People Power Party's attempts to shake the Constitutional Court are truly intolerable. They are threatening the court daily to halt the impeachment trial of the ringleader of the rebellion, thereby undermining the constitutional spirit."

Addressing Acting President Choi, he said, "It is not the role of the acting president to amplify national confusion. Choi must remember that he is in that position to uphold the constitutional order," emphasizing, "Stop using the baseless excuse of 'bipartisan agreement.'"

The Democratic Party pressured Acting President Choi to appoint Ma, warning that failure to cooperate would amount to being an accomplice to rebellion. Earlier that day, Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, directly stated at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "If Acting President Choi does not immediately appoint Ma despite the Constitutional Court's decision, it is definitive proof that he is an accomplice to rebellion."

Meanwhile, during a regular briefing that day, the Constitutional Court warned that if the bench ruled the appointment unconstitutional and Acting President Choi still did not appoint Ma, it would be a violation of the Constitution and laws.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.