Waiting for 'Han Deok-su's Return'... Acting Chief Choi in Cautious Mode on 'Ma Eun-hyuk Appointment'

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is holding a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

This week, the focus of the political and legal circles is on whether the Constitutional Court will deliver a ruling on the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Deok-su. The Constitutional Court held a hearing on Han's impeachment trial on the 19th of last month and concluded it within 90 minutes. Considering that the ruling was delivered about two weeks after the conclusion of the hearing on the authority dispute case involving nominee Ma Eun-hyuk for Constitutional Court Justice, the legal community generally expects that the ruling date for Prime Minister Han's impeachment trial will be set sometime this week. The 6th or 7th is being strongly mentioned as likely dates.

If Prime Minister Han's impeachment is dismissed, he will return to his role as acting president. This means that under Han Deok-su's acting leadership, the impeachment ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol will be delivered. The impeachment motion against Han was passed in the National Assembly on grounds including his tacit approval and assistance of the emergency martial law on December 3rd and his refusal to appoint a nominee for Constitutional Court Justice.

Meanwhile, Choi Sang-mok, acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, has entered the final stage of deliberation regarding the appointment of nominee Ma Eun-hyuk.

According to the government, on the 4th, Acting Minister Choi held a meeting with cabinet members at the Government Seoul Office and gathered their opinions on whether to appoint nominee Ma. Given that there was much internal criticism within the ruling party last year about the lack of prior discussion when nominating Justices Jeong Gye-seon and Jo Han-chang on December 31st, it appears that this time the cabinet members’ opinions were heard through a private meeting.

However, in his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held immediately after the gathering, Acting Minister Choi made no mention of nominee Ma and instead urged the resumption of the National Policy Consultation Council. He stated, "American-originated nationalism is shaking the entire world and causing turmoil in international affairs," and added, "More than ever, the ‘power of unity’ is essential for the survival and prosperity of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Above all, the government, the National Assembly, and the private sector must join forces to fully respond to the ongoing trade war originating from the United States," and said, "In this crisis, the breakthrough for the livelihood of the people and the future of Korea, as well as the cornerstone for national unity, must be laid by the National Policy Consultation Council, where the ruling and opposition parties and the government work together."

Inside and outside the government, Acting Minister Choi’s actions are being interpreted in connection with the ‘ruling on Prime Minister Han’s impeachment trial.’ The idea is that by buying time and allowing Prime Minister Han to return, the responsibility will be passed on.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is responding to questions from committee members at the 5th hearing of the 'Special Committee on the National Investigation into the Alleged Insurrection through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration,' held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News.

원본보기 아이콘

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.