Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday approved two justices to fill in the nine-member Constitutional Court tasked to proceed with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial.
The two justices are Jung Gye-seon, nominated by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, and Cho Han-chang, nominated by the ruling People Power Party. The appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok, nominated by the main opposition, was deferred.
The acting president stated that Ma would be appointed if both parties reached an agreement. Choi who became an acting president after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, an acting president upon Yoon's suspension of power on Dec. 14, rejected the opposition-led vote that endorsed the nomination of the three candidates. The ruling party boycotted the vote.
In announcing his decision, Choi said he did so to end uncertainty and conflict.
"As the successor to the presidential duties, I decided to appoint the Constitutional Court justices in order to swiftly end political uncertainty and social conflict, and to prevent potential economic and livelihood crises," he said.
Under the Constitutional Court Act, the final appointment of justices is the prerogative of the president. The Constitutional Court has repeatedly clarified that an acting president holds the same power to appoint justices.
