Park Chan-dae: "Acting Chief Choi, Appoint Ma Eun-hyeok by Tomorrow... Can No Longer Overlook"

Democratic Party: "Final Deadline for Ma's Appointment Is the 19th"
Possibility of Accusing Choi of Dereliction of Duty If Appointment Is Not Made

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a final ultimatum on the 18th to Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, demanding "appoint constitutional court nominee Ma Eun-hyuk by the 19th."

At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Park said, "Today marks the 82nd day since the appointment consent bills for the three constitutional court justices recommended by the National Assembly passed the plenary session, and the 19th day since the Constitutional Court decided to appoint nominee Ma."

Floor Leader Park raised his voice, saying, "Is it normal for him (Acting Prime Minister Choi) to refuse Special Prosecutor Myung Tae-gyun, citing the heavy responsibility of upholding the constitution, while not following the Constitutional Court's decision?" and "We can no longer tolerate (the violation of the constitutional order). We have endured as much as we can and waited as long as we could."

He also urged the Constitutional Court to swiftly rule on the impeachment trial against President Yoon. Floor Leader Park said, "Today marks the 22nd day since the final arguments in the impeachment trial of the rebel leader Yoon Seok-yeol ended," and added, "Yoon Seok-yeol's tyranny, reminiscent of a dictatorship, and the December 3rd rebellion incident have severely damaged South Korea's national dignity and democracy," emphasizing "South Korea's democracy and national dignity must be restored through Yoon Seok-yeol's dismissal. The Constitutional Court should deliver a prompt verdict."

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. 2025.3.18 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The Democratic Party stressed that the 19th is effectively the final deadline for nominee Ma's appointment. Floor spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung responded to reporters' questions after the meeting, asking, "If the appointment is not made after tomorrow, does that mean you will impeach Acting Prime Minister Choi?" by saying, "(Acting Prime Minister Choi) continues to disobey the Constitutional Court's judgment and decision," and added, "It seems appropriate to consider it the final deadline. We are exploring various options, but we say this is the final deadline to comply with the Constitutional Court's decision." When asked if they plan to accuse Acting Prime Minister Choi of dereliction of duty, she avoided a direct answer, saying, "We will announce plans after the final deadline passes tomorrow."

Regarding concerns about the health of lawmakers who are fasting to urge President Yoon's impeachment, she said, "This was not decided as a party stance but started by individual lawmakers' will, such as fasting or head shaving," and added, "Therefore, we have expressed concerns and worries about health, but in the case of lawmaker Min Hyung-bae, despite being exposed to serious health risks since yesterday, he has endured until this morning by his own will. We urge the Constitutional Court to make a swift (impeachment trial) decision."

Floor spokesperson Kang also responded to the criticism that "the ruling party is discussing holding the opposition accountable if the impeachment is dismissed or rejected," by drawing a line, saying, "(The ruling party's claim that) there have been 29 impeachment cases is an exaggeration that deviates from the facts. Currently, the Constitutional Court justices will make decisions and rulings on cases involving illegal martial law, unconstitutional procedures, and the invasion of the National Assembly and the National Election Commission. Such debates can be discussed after the verdict."

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